Murphy taps former aid to fill Menendez’ Senate seat

(The Center Square) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is tapping a former aide to fill a vacant U.S. Senator when Democrat Bob Menendez resigns later this month following his conviction on federal bribery charges. 

On Friday, Murphy announced that his former chief of staff, George Helmy, a Democrat, will serve as an interim senator until after the Nov. 5 election when the winner of the race is determined. 

Menendez, 70, was convicted by a New York City jury in July of 16 counts of bribery, extortion, fraud and acting as a foreign agent. He is expected to step down from office on Aug. 20 as he appeals the verdict. 

Murphy praised Helmy as “a proven public servant ” who understands Washington politics and has a “unique skillset, wealth of knowledge, and willingness to pour his heart and soul into serving the people of our state.” 

“George is the model of integrity we need to help restore public trust in our state’s leadership,” Murphy, a Democrat, said in a statement. “There is no one better prepared — or more committed — to delivering for the people of our state, especially when it comes to providing the highest caliber of constituent services.” 

Murphy said the plan for transitioning the seat calls for Helmy to hold the position until Nov. 27  — nearly three weeks after the election — when he will appoint the winner of the November election. 

“This approach will allow the democratically-chosen winner of November’s election to embark on the smoothest possible transition into office so they can provide the best possible representation for New Jersey,” Murphy said. 

Helmy, who served as Murphy’s chief of staff from 2019 to 2023, is currently an executive at RWJ Barnabas Health, one of the state’s largest health care providers. 

“While I am honored to serve and provide New Jersey with a Senate office that they can depend on, I commit to stepping down early to give the duly elected Senator the chance to begin their work,” Helmy said in a statement. “As I serve my state as Senator for the next few months, I promise to work for the people of New Jersey and hope to restore their faith in public service.”

Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., won the Democratic Party’s nomination to run for Menendez’s seat in November against Republican Curtis Bashaw. Kim had faced what promised to be a bruising primary against first lady Tammy Murphy before she dropped her bid. 

Menendez had filed to run for reelection as an independent, saying he would continue his campaign if acquitted of the charges. 

His pending resignation will cap a dramatic downfall for one of New Jersey’s most powerful Democratic politicians, who has served in the Senate since 2006. It also prevents what promised to be a nasty inter-party fight over expelling him from the chamber ahead of the November elections. 

Republican lawmakers, who had urged Murphy not to appoint Kim to fill out the remainder of Menendez’s term, welcomed the decision to tap Helmy for the temporary job.

Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco praised Murphy for adhering to “the tradition of appointing a placeholder and letting the voters have their say this November in a fair and honest election without tipping the scales in anyone’s favor.” 

“George Helmy is not only a trusted and well-respected leader, he’s also a proven public servant who I consider a good friend and an even better man,” Bucco said in a statement. “New Jerseyans are in good hands with George in D.C.”