New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is preparing to appoint George Helmy, his former chief of staff and a seasoned Senate aide, as the temporary replacement for Senator Bob Menendez’s vacated Senate seat. This move follows Menendez’s resignation, which takes effect on August 20. The information was confirmed by three sources familiar with the decision, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the announcement.
Helmy, who previously served as a staff member for Senator Cory Booker and currently works as a healthcare executive at one of New Jersey’s largest hospital systems, is set to fill the Senate seat on an interim basis. This appointment comes in the wake of Menendez’s conviction on 16 criminal counts last month, which led to his resignation as Democrats considered expulsion. Menendez’s departure marks an extraordinary end to a distinguished 50-year career in politics. The seat will be contested in the November election, where Democratic Representative Andy Kim will face off against Republican hotelier Curtis Bashaw for the full six-year term.
Sources indicated that while an offer to Helmy has not yet been formally extended, an announcement regarding his appointment could be made as early as Friday. Helmy has refrained from commenting on the matter at this time.
At 44, Helmy will assume the role of caretaker Senator, briefly rejoining his former boss, Senator Booker, as the nation heads into a pivotal presidential election. This election has the potential to shift the balance of power in Congress.
Helmy began his tenure with the Murphy administration in early 2019, shortly after Governor Murphy’s first term began, a period characterized by friction with the state Legislature. Helmy, who cultivated significant political connections as state director for Booker, played a crucial role in stabilizing relations between the administration and the Legislature, as well as with other Democratic leaders throughout the state. He served as Murphy’s chief of staff for a record-breaking four and a half years before transitioning to an executive position at RWJ Barnabas Health, one of the state’s major healthcare providers.
