United States Senate candidates Rep. Andy Kim and Curtis Bashaw will face off in their final debate on Oct. 22 on News 12 New Jersey. It will be a showdown more than a year in the making – made possible by the downfall of former Sen. Bob Menendez.

The former Democratic senator is currently awaiting sentencing after being convicted in federal court on corruption and bribery charges.

“I have every faith that the law and the facts did not sustain that decision. And that we will be successful upon appeal,” Menendez said after the verdict.

July’s verdict punctuated a tenure of public service often tainted by allegations and scandal that had Menendez in the crosshairs of the Department of Justice.

Power & Politics: Breaking down the first Andy Kim-Curtis Bashaw debate

So how did we get here? In 2006, then-U.S. Attorney Chris Christie launched an investigation into Menendez for allegedly helping a nonprofit that was renting a property he owned secure federal grants and in turn took in $300,000 in rent on that property. No charges were ever filed.

In 2017, then-Sen. Menendez was indicted for allegedly granting political favors to a friend in exchange for lavish gifts. The trial ended in a hung jury and Menendez famously put his enemies on notice.

"To those who were digging my political grave so they could jump into my seat, I know who you are and I won’t forget you,” Menendez said.

But the DOJ didn't forget Menendez either, and he was indicted again in September 2023.

“The indictment alleges that [Wael] Hana, [Jose] Uribe and [Fred] Daibes provided bribes in the form of cash, gold, home mortgage payments, a low-show or a no-show job for Nadine Menendez, a Mercedes Benz and other things of value to the senator and his wife,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams.

The indictment later expanded to include acting as a foreign agent for Egypt and Qatar. Menendez was found guilty on all counts.

The fallout was immediate. Menendez was told to resign or be expelled from the Senate.

Ultimately, he resigned, effective Aug. 20, leading to Gov. Phil Murphy appointing a caretaker for the seat - his former chief of staff George Helmy.

The winner of the November election – be it Kim or Bashaw – won’t have to wait until January to be sworn in. When the winner is certified on Nov. 27, Helmy will step aside, and Murphy will appoint the victor to start serving immediately.