Gov. Phil Murphy announced Friday that he will appoint his former chief of staff, George Helmy, to the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Bob Menendez.
The appointment had been widely reported this week.
“It is an honor to appoint George Helmy, a proven public servant who deeply understands the complexities of Congress, to the United States Senate,” Murphy said in a prepared statement. “George is the model of integrity we need to help restore public trust in our state’s leadership. 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.”
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Helmy will serve as one of New Jersey’s two U.S. senators, alongside Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) until the winner of the November general election is certified Nov. 27. At that point, Helmy will resign and Murphy will appoint the winner of the election to the seat, according to a news release from the Governor’s Office.
“Once the voters of New Jersey elect their next representative in the United States Senate, and their votes are certified, I will appoint the winner of November’s election to the United States Senate before the new year begins,” Murphy said. “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.”
Helmy is currently executive vice president and chief external affairs and policy officer at RWJBarnabas Health. He served as Murphy’s chief of staff from February 2019 to October 2023.
“On behalf of the entire RWJBarnabas Health family, I want to congratulate George Helmy on his appointment by Gov. Murphy,” Mark Manigan, RWJBH’s CEO, said in a statement. “This builds on George’s remarkable legacy of service and accomplishment to our state. Based on his impactful time here at RWJBarnabas Health, I know he will represent the people of New Jersey wisely and effectively in the United States Senate.”
He will be the only Arab American senator in the 118th Congress. He is tentatively scheduled to be sworn in Sept. 9.
Menendez announced his resignation in the wake of his conviction on 16 counts in a July corruption trial. Democratic U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D-3rd Dist.) is running against Republican Curtis Bashaw in November.
