New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced Friday that he is appointing former chief of staff George Helmi as an interim replacement for Sen. Bob Menendez after the disgraced Democratic senator resigns next week. conviction on corruption charges.
Helmi served as Murphy’s chief of staff from 2019 to 2023. ce post last year he was working A large healthcare company in New Jersey.
“George is the ideal leader to take on this role,” Murphy said at a morning announcement in Newark, adding that Helmy is very familiar with the inner workings of the Senate after working on the staff of current and former Democratic New Jersey senators.
Before working in the governor’s office, Helmi worked for several years for Sen. Cory Booker in various roles, incl state director. Helmy also spent time in the private sector and was an aide to the late Senator Frank Lautenberg. according to the governor’s office.
“George understands at a very fundamental level how the office of the United States Senate works, and he will be ready to lead this office from the beginning, and he will bring direct experience to this office to provide the best possible constituent service to families,” Murphy said. . “With the presidential election fast approaching and the Senate in recess for much of the fall, this experience will be especially relevant over the next few months.”
Murphy’s office said Helmin’s swearing-in will take place on Sept. 9 after the Senate reconvenes for the summer recess.
“Our residents deserve a functioning Senate office they can turn to for help,” Helmy said. “Our nonprofits and local governments deserve an office that will fight for their grants and support them in navigating the arcane maze of federal agencies, and yes, New Jersey deserves a full voice and representation in the United States Senate. Based on my familiarity with the Senate and my deep knowledge of the issues facing this state, I will act as our second most important voice in the Democratic caucus under the leadership of Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on the important issues that will come before us in the coming months.”
Helmy will hold the office only temporarily; New Jersey voters will elect their next senator for a six-year term in the general election this November. Democratic Rep. Andy Kim and Republican Curtis Bashaw will battle for the seat in this fall’s general election.
On Friday, Kim praised Helmi, saying she “knows how to navigate the Senate and can get to work right away to serve our state. This is incredibly important experience with the many difficult issues facing our state and our nation. I look forward to working with her in the Capitol.” “
Menendez formally informed Murphy of his decision to resign in a letter after he sent it last month found guilty on all 16 countsinclude bribery, extortion, honest services wire fraud, acting as a foreign agent of Egypt, obstruction of justice and a number of conspiracies. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 29.
Murphy said Friday that it was “a tragic end to a long and largely productive career in public service.”
“Senator Menendez accomplished many things on behalf of our state and our residents,” he said, “but he will unfortunately be remembered for putting his own interests before the public good.”