WASHINGTON — New Jersey has a new U.S. senator after the August elections dismissal from Democrat Bob Menendez.
Sen. George Helmy, a Democrat and former chief of staff to New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, was sworn in Monday and will serve for about two months until the November election. Democratic Rep. Andy Kim and Republican hotelier Curtis Bashaw are vying for the seat in November, and the winner will immediately replace Helmy.
Menendez resigned in August after he was convicted on charges that he used his influence to interfere with three separate state and federal criminal investigations. Prosecutors said he helped a friend who paid bribes closed a multimillion-dollar deal with a Qatari investment fund, and another honored a contract to provide religious certification for meat destined for Egypt.
Murphy appointed Helmy to the interim role after Menendez announced his intention to step down. Murphy said he chose Helmy because he understands the role after serving as an aide to U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and the late U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey.
Booker, now the state’s most senior senator, stood next to Helmy as he took the oath of office from Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the most senior Democrat and Senate president pro tempore.
Helmy, 44, served as Murphy’s chief of staff from 2019 to 2023 and then as a director at one of the state’s largest health care providers, RWJBarnabas Health. He previously served as Booker’s state director in the Senate. He is the son of Egyptian parents who immigrated to New Jersey
After he was sworn in, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer welcomed Helmy to the chamber and said he was making history as the first member of the Coptic Orthodox Church to become a senator. Dozens of Helmy’s friends and family watched from the gallery above.
“We wish him nothing but success and stand ready to assist him as needed in the weeks and months ahead,” Schumer said.
When Murphy announced his nomination, Helmy said he had never sought elected office and never would, saying he would focus on serving the public during his short time in the Senate.
“New Jersey deserves its full voice and representation in the entire United States Senate,” he said.
Menendez was also convicted of taking actions that benefited the Egyptian government in exchange for bribes, including providing details about personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo and ghostwriting a letter to fellow senators about lifting a freeze on military aid to Egypt. FBI agents also said they found stacks of gold bars and $480,000 hidden in Menendez’s home.
Menendez denies all charges against him and has said he plans to appeal the convictions.