Newark, New Jersey – On Friday, New Jersey Democratic Governor Phil Murphy announced that he has chosen his former chief of staff to temporarily replace convicted U.S. Senator Bob Menendez. He also stated that he will appoint whoever wins the upcoming November election as soon as the results are certified.
Democratic Representative Andy Kim and Republican hotelier Curtis Bashaw are currently competing for the Senate seat. In light of his decision, Governor Murphy spoke to both candidates to inform them of his plans.
“I expressed to them that this approach will allow the democratically chosen winner of this year’s election to have a smooth transition into office,” Murphy said during a news conference.
Murphy’s former chief of staff, George Helmy, has promised to resign after the election. This appointment is a clear indication of Murphy’s decision not to appoint Kim, who is currently in a strong position for the November election. Earlier this year, Kim and Murphy’s wife, Tammy Murphy, were involved in a primary struggle for the Senate seat. However, Tammy Murphy eventually withdrew from the race, citing concerns about a negative and divisive campaign.
The Senate election holds great significance, as Democrats currently hold a narrow majority. It has been over five decades since Republicans have won a Senate election in the Democratic-leaning state of New Jersey.
Helmy’s appointment will not take effect until after Menendez’s resignation on August 20. Governor Murphy explained that he chose Helmy because of his understanding of the role, having previously served as an aide to New Jersey U.S. Senator Cory Booker and former New Jersey U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg.
Murphy also praised Helmy’s work as his top aide and the two shared a brief embrace after Helmy spoke at the news conference.
At 44 years old, Helmy served as Murphy’s chief of staff from 2019 to 2023 and currently holds a position as an executive at RWJBarnabas Health, one of the state’s largest healthcare providers. He has also previously worked as Booker’s state director in the Senate. Helmy’s parents immigrated to New Jersey from Egypt, and he attended public schools in the state before going on to study at Rutgers University.
“New Jersey deserves to have its full voice and representation in the United States Senate,” Helmy stated.
Menendez, 70, was convicted of using his influence to interfere in three separate state and federal criminal investigations in order to protect businessmen, according to prosecutors. They also stated that he assisted in securing a multimillion-dollar deal for a friend through a Qatari investment fund and helped another friend maintain a contract to provide religious certification for meat bound for Egypt.
In addition, Menendez was found guilty of taking actions that benefited Egypt’s government in exchange for bribes, such as providing information on personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo and ghostwriting a letter to fellow senators regarding lifting a hold on military aid to Egypt. During a search of his house, FBI agents discovered stacks of gold bars and $480,000 hidden away.
However, Menendez maintains his innocence and has denied all allegations.
“I have always been a patriot for my country,” he stated after his conviction.
Last month, Menendez sent a letter to Governor Murphy stating that he plans to appeal his conviction but will step down from his position on August 20, just over a month after the jury’s verdict.
The upcoming November election will determine who will permanently fill the Senate seat. Governor Murphy’s decision to appoint the winner of this election as soon as the results are certified is a positive step towards ensuring a smooth transition and allowing the people of New Jersey to have their full representation in the Senate.
