George Helmy, the former chief of staff to Governor Phil Murphy, is set to take office as a New Jersey senator following the resignation of Robert Menendez. Menendez resigned quietly without making any official statements on his website or social media accounts. He was first elected in 2006 and was recently convicted on 16 counts in a federal corruption trial. The trial concluded after three days of deliberations, marking the end of a nine-week legal battle.
Menendez’s legal team has filed a motion to overturn the convictions and for a new trial. The defense claims that prosecutors did not present sufficient evidence to prove the charges and that legal immunities granted to lawmakers were violated during the trial. Menendez’s attorney, Adam Fee, stated that the convictions set a dangerous precedent and called for their reversal. Menendez has not provided any comments on the situation.
Robert Menendez had a long career in the Senate, having served since 2006. He was appointed to the Senate after Jon Corzine vacated his seat, and he was elected to a full six-year term later that year. Menendez was also re-elected in 2012 and 2018. He was the sixth Latino to serve in the Senate and held positions on various important committees before stepping down as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee due to the corruption charges.
George Helmy, who will be filling Menendez’s vacant seat in September, is a 43-year-old New Jersey native. He has a background in business operations and served as aide and caseworker for Senator Frank Lautenberg in the past. Helmy also worked closely with Senator Cory Booker as his state director before joining the office of Governor Phil Murphy as chief of staff. He has a track record of public service and experience working with important figures in New Jersey politics.
When Governor Murphy announced Helmy’s appointment to the Senate, he praised his integrity, dedication, and commitment to serving the people of New Jersey. Helmy has worked in various roles across different sectors, including healthcare and Fortune 100 companies. He will be the only Arab-American Senator when he takes office and resides in Morris County with his family. Helmy has expressed his determination to represent New Jerseyans in the Senate and restore their faith in public service during his interim term.
Democratic nominee Rep. Andy Kim and Republican nominee Curtis Bashaw are both running for the Senate seat in the upcoming election in November. Menendez, who initially announced he would run as an independent, has now withdrawn from the race. Helmy has indicated that he will step down early to allow the duly elected Senator to begin their work. Overall, Helmy’s appointment represents a new chapter in New Jersey politics as he prepares to serve in the Senate for the next few months.
