George Helmy, former top aide to NJ Gov. Phil Murphy, to fill Menendez seat
NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- On Friday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced who he has chosen to serve out the remainder of Sen. Bob Menendez's term.
As expected, the governor named his former chief of staff, George Samir Helmy, as interim senator.
Helmy will be making history as the first Arab American to serve in the U.S. Senate, albeit on a temporary basis.
He will serve as one of New Jersey's two United States senators, along with Cory Booker, until the winner of the November general election is certified on November 27, Murphy's office said.
Helmy will then resign and the governor will appoint the winner of November's election to the U.S. Senate.
"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 statement accompanying Friday's announcement. "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."
Helmy is the son of Egyptian immigrants and grew up in New Jersey.
His entire career in politics has been behind-the-scenes, working for Senators Booker and Lautenberg in addition to Gov. Murphy.
"Relying on my familiarity with the senate and my deep knowledge of the issues facing this state, I will stand as our second crucial voice in the Democratic Caucus under Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on the important items that will come before us over the next months," Helmy said.
Booker called Murphy's decision to go with Helmy "wise and historic."
"There is perhaps no one else more qualified to hit the ground running and make an impact for New Jersey in this role over the next several months," said Booker in a statement. "From his dedicated years of service for Senator Lautenberg and his strong leadership as my state director, George knows how a Senator can be most effective for the people of New Jersey."
Helmy, a friend and longtime Murphy ally, was formally offered the job on Thursday and his appointment was announced Friday before Murphy departs the state for the Democratic National Convention.
The appointment of Helmy will maintain the ultra slim Democratic majority in the Senate when Congress returns to session in September, with legislation on immigration and funding for the wars in Ukraine and Gaza almost certain to be the center of debate between the left and the right.
The news of Helmy's imminent appointment was first reported by the NJ Globe.
Also on Friday, Menendez decided to drop his bid as an independent candidate for the seat he held for nearly 20 years, but vacated last month, after being convicted on federal corruption charges.
Menendez was running as an independent, and had until the end of Friday to remove his name from the ballot.
"Please be advised that as an Independent candidate for the U.S. Senate in this November's election I am advising you that I wish to have my name withdrawn from the ballot," Menendez said in a letter filed with the State Division of Elections.
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