👀 Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) appears to be looking for a way to hold influence over the Democratic Party, even as he's on trial on federal corruption charges.

• At least that's what Democratic insiders in New Jersey now think of Menendez's surprise independent bid to hang on to the Senate seat he's occupied since 2006.
• Democratic sources tell Axios they think the move by Menendez — until recently the powerful chair of the Senate's Foreign Relations committee — could be a ploy to demand favors, such as fundraising for legal expenses in exchange for leaving the race.
• Menendez scoffs at that, but his independent campaign has cast a cloud over Democrats' efforts to keep the seat blue in November.
• 😬 His bid landed with a thud on New Jersey Democrats, many of whom already had called for his resignation, ensuring little-to-no institutional support back home.

🥊 Those who know Menendez say it's in his political DNA to scrap and claw to the last breath.

• "He is an aggressive, bareknuckle type of player that is relentless. Those same character traits are what you're seeing today," Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, a Democrat who is running for governor next year, told Axios.
• Micah Rasmussen, who was press secretary to former New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey (D), told Axios that Menendez's independent campaign was him "extending his sell-by date, at least until August," referring to the Aug. 16 deadline for Menendez to remove his name from the ballot.

National Democrats say they aren't worried about Menendez becoming an election spoiler to Democratic nominee Andy Kim in a state that hasn't sent a Republican to the Senate in 52 years.

• "We're going to make sure a Republican is not elected to that seat," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said last week.

🎤 "My candidacy is not, and never was, about leveraging my fellow Democrats," Menendez, who's seeking a fourth term, said in a statement to Axios.

💰 Catch up quick: The senator and his wife, Nadine, are accused of trading Menendez's influence for "hundreds of thousands of dollars" in bribes — including gold bars.

• Remaining a federal candidate allows Menendez to raise and spend money for his legal fees.

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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Former President Trump on Monday told a Christian group that has vowed to "eradicate" abortion that if he's re-elected, "you're going to make a comeback like no other group."

• That was about as bold as Trump got, however — his comments to the pastors and churchgoers of the Danbury Institute were brief, pre-taped and did not include the word "abortion."
• It was the latest sign that Trump — who has bragged about appointing three conservative Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade — seems to have lowered the volume when talking about abortion.
• Many GOP candidates are doing that this year, after several post-Roe elections in which voters have rewarded Democrats who back abortion rights.

🤔 On Monday, Trump didn't even take credit for overturning Roe, saying simply, "We've done things that nobody thought were possible to have gotten done."

• His remarks — in which he mentioned "protecting innocent life" just once — contrasted with those of other speakers who urged state legislators to "punish evil (abortion)" and "abolish abortion completely."

📺 Trump's message reflected his strategy of appearing by video or calling into events to show support for groups with fringe positions — without appearing publicly with their leaders.

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Maine, Nevada, North Dakota and South Carolina hold down-ballot primaries tomorrow. Races to watch:

Senate: Nevada Republican Sam Brown picked up Trump's support over the weekend, likely clearing the way for him to claim his party's nomination in a race that's looking increasingly competitive in November.

• The winner of Tuesday's primary will face Democrat Jacky Rosen, who is seeking a second term.
• A presidential battleground, Nevada will draw significant attention and money between now and November. The Senate race is among several that could determine control of the chamber.
• Jeff Gunter, who was Trump's ambassador to Iceland, is among the other GOP contenders.

House: Republican divisions will be on display in a pair of primaries in South Carolina.

• Rep. Nancy Mace is facing a challenge from Catherine Templeton, a former state government official.
• Trump has endorsed Mace, who's backing the former president despite saying earlier that he shouldn't hold office again because of Jan. 6.
• Mace was among the eight Republicans who helped oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy in October. McCarthy's leadership PAC has donated to Templeton's campaign.
• Also in South Carolina, Rep. William Timmons faces a challenge from state Rep. Adam Morgan, chairman of the S.C. Freedom Caucus.
• Morgan has the backing of several conservative hardliners, including Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.). Trump has endorsed Timmons.

Governor: In deep-red North Dakota, Rep. Kelly Armstrong is favored to snag the nomination to succeed former presidential candidate Doug Burgum. Armstrong faces Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller in the open primary.