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New Jersey Democratic Governor Phil Murphy has selected his former chief of staff, George Helmy, to temporarily fill the US Senate seat vacated by Senator Bob Menendez following his conviction on corruption charges. Governor Murphy announced that Helmy will serve until the winner of the upcoming November is certified and ready to take office.
The decision comes amid a high-stakes race between Democratic Representative Andy Kim and Republican hotelier Curtis Bashaw.Governor Murphy said that his decision to appoint Helmy, rather than Kim, allows for a smooth transition once the election results are certified. “I expressed to them that this approach will allow the democratically chosen winner of this year’s election to embark on the smallest possible transition into office so they can provide the best possible representation for the people of New Jersey,” Murphy said during a press conference.
Helmy, who will assume office after Menendez’s resignation on August 20, has pledged to step down once the election concludes. His appointment highlights Murphy’s commitment to maintaining stability and continuity in the Senate seat. Murphy praised Helmy’s past service as his chief of staff and as an aide to New Jersey Senators Cory Booker and Frank Lautenberg, citing his experience and understanding of the role.
Governor Murphy dismissed any speculation of tension with Representative Andy Kim, who is leading in the polls for the November election. Kim previously faced off against Murphy’s wife, Tammy Murphy, in a primary battle earlier this year before she withdrew from the race. “A lot of the press — and I’m not accusing anybody of this — would imply there’s some sort of middle school drama with me and Andy Kim, which is just not true,” Murphy clarified.
The Senate race is critical, as Democrats hold a narrow majority and New Jersey has not elected a Republican Senator in over five decades. The election is set for November 5, with results expected to be certified by November 27.
Senator Menendez, 70, was convicted on charges of corruption, including selling the power of his office for favors from three New Jersey businessmen. Allegations against him include interfering in criminal investigations, assisting a friend in securing a deal with a Qatari investment fund, and providing favorable actions for Egypt’s government in exchange for bribes. Menendez has denied the charges and plans to appeal the conviction, maintaining his innocence. “I have never been anything but a patriot of my country and for my country,” Menendez stated after his conviction.
Governor Murphy, along with numerous Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, had called for Menendez’s resignation following his conviction. Murphy warned that the Senate should consider expulsion if Menendez did not step down, a move that has been rarely enacted in US history. Only 15 senators have ever been expelled, with the most recent occurring during the Civil War for supporting the Confederacy.
George Helmy, 44, currently an executive at RWJBarnabas Health, previously served as Booker’s state director in the Senate. The son of Egyptian immigrants, Helmy is a Rutgers University alumnus and committed public servant. “New Jersey deserves its full voice and representation in the whole of the United States Senate,” Helmy said, pledging to focus on public service during his interim tenure.
The decision comes amid a high-stakes race between Democratic Representative Andy Kim and Republican hotelier Curtis Bashaw.Governor Murphy said that his decision to appoint Helmy, rather than Kim, allows for a smooth transition once the election results are certified. “I expressed to them that this approach will allow the democratically chosen winner of this year’s election to embark on the smallest possible transition into office so they can provide the best possible representation for the people of New Jersey,” Murphy said during a press conference.
Helmy, who will assume office after Menendez’s resignation on August 20, has pledged to step down once the election concludes. His appointment highlights Murphy’s commitment to maintaining stability and continuity in the Senate seat. Murphy praised Helmy’s past service as his chief of staff and as an aide to New Jersey Senators Cory Booker and Frank Lautenberg, citing his experience and understanding of the role.
Governor Murphy dismissed any speculation of tension with Representative Andy Kim, who is leading in the polls for the November election. Kim previously faced off against Murphy’s wife, Tammy Murphy, in a primary battle earlier this year before she withdrew from the race. “A lot of the press — and I’m not accusing anybody of this — would imply there’s some sort of middle school drama with me and Andy Kim, which is just not true,” Murphy clarified.
The Senate race is critical, as Democrats hold a narrow majority and New Jersey has not elected a Republican Senator in over five decades. The election is set for November 5, with results expected to be certified by November 27.
Senator Menendez, 70, was convicted on charges of corruption, including selling the power of his office for favors from three New Jersey businessmen. Allegations against him include interfering in criminal investigations, assisting a friend in securing a deal with a Qatari investment fund, and providing favorable actions for Egypt’s government in exchange for bribes. Menendez has denied the charges and plans to appeal the conviction, maintaining his innocence. “I have never been anything but a patriot of my country and for my country,” Menendez stated after his conviction.
Governor Murphy, along with numerous Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, had called for Menendez’s resignation following his conviction. Murphy warned that the Senate should consider expulsion if Menendez did not step down, a move that has been rarely enacted in US history. Only 15 senators have ever been expelled, with the most recent occurring during the Civil War for supporting the Confederacy.
George Helmy, 44, currently an executive at RWJBarnabas Health, previously served as Booker’s state director in the Senate. The son of Egyptian immigrants, Helmy is a Rutgers University alumnus and committed public servant. “New Jersey deserves its full voice and representation in the whole of the United States Senate,” Helmy said, pledging to focus on public service during his interim tenure.
