New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy plans to nominate his former chief of staff, George S. Helmy, to succeed Bob Menendez in the Senate, according to the New Jersey Globe.
Murphy will formally offer Helmy on Thursday and is expected to announce his decision on Friday, the Globe reported. ReportedHelmy, 44, served as Murphy's chief of staff for nearly five years and became one of the most influential unelected officials in state politics, according to the media report.
The appointment follows Menendez's July conviction on conspiracy and federal bribery charges, the outlet reported. He was convicted on 16 counts of involvement in a corruption and bribery scheme with the Egyptian government and three New Jersey businessmen. According to NBC News.
Menendez's resignation is expected to take effect on Aug. 20, according to the Globe. (Related article: In most Senate elections so far, Democrats have outspent Republicans on advertising.)
Helmy has reportedly emerged as a leading candidate for the Senate seat after First Lady Tammy Murphy dropped out of the race ahead of the Democratic primary.
BREAKING: Gov. Phil Murphy plans to nominate his former chief of staff, George Helmy, to succeed Bob Menendez in the U.S. Senate.
https://t.co/0BCnM6RFrq— David Wildstein (@wildstein) August 15, 2024
Helmy, 44, will take office when the Senate returns from its August recess on Sept. 9, according to the Globe. Helmy will serve in the position until the winner of the state Senate race between Republican Curtis Bashaw and Democrat Andy Kim is able to replace him.
According to sources at the New Jersey Globe, others under consideration by Murphy included Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jay Johnson, former Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells, Democratic State Committee Vice Chair Margaret Schafer, U.S. District Judge Esther Salas and public school teacher and mental health advocate Amy Kennedy.
Helmy will retire from state government in 2023 and has since worked as chief external relations and policy officer and executive vice president for RWJBarnabas Health, New Jersey's largest health care delivery system, according to the New Jersey Globe.
