New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has chosen George Helmy, his former chief of staff, to fill the state’s vacant Senate seat left by the resignation of Senator Bob Menendez. Menendez’s resignation, effective August 20, comes after his conviction in a corruption case.
Helmy, who served as Murphy’s chief of staff for nearly five years, held significant influence in New Jersey politics as the state’s most powerful non-elected official. His experience also includes stints as deputy chief of staff and state director for Senator Cory Booker, as well as an aide to former Senator Frank Lautenberg.
Although Helmy will assume the Senate seat on September 9, his tenure may be brief. According to reports, Governor Murphy intends to appoint the winner of the November Senate election to the position, effectively granting them a head start on their six-year term.
Other contenders considered by Murphy included Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, former Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas, Democratic State Committee Vice Chairwoman Marguerite Schaffer, and Amy Kennedy, a mental health advocate and public school teacher.
Notably, Representative Andy Kim, who is running for Menendez’s Senate seat in the upcoming election, was not selected for the appointment. This decision surprised some, as it was expected that Murphy would choose Kim to give him a boost in name recognition across the state. Instead, Helmy’s appointment is seen as a continuation of Murphy’s own influence in the Senate, albeit for a limited time.
Kim will face off against Republican nominee Curtis Bashaw in the November election, with the two candidates set to debate three times in October. The Senate race is expected to be more competitive than in previous years.
