George Helmy was sworn into office Monday as the 81st senator from New Jersey, following the resignation of now-former Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) over his conviction in a public fraud scheme involving bribery and acting as a foreign agent.
Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ) appointed Helmy, who is set to be one of the shortest-serving senators and resign in November once the victor of the Senate race between Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Republican Curtis Bashaw is certified. Murphy vowed to then immediately appoint the winner, who will almost certainly be Kim in the deep blue state.
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Helmy, 44, is Murphy’s former chief of staff and an ex-staffer to Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ). He was most recently chief external affairs and policy officer for the New Jersey healthcare system RWJBarnabas Health.
Helmy will take over Menendez’s responsibilities on the Committee on Foreign Relations, Finance, Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
“George Helmy has spent almost his entire career dedicated to serving the people of New Jersey, and during his tenure as my state director, I witnessed his exceptional leadership and profound understanding of the key issues affecting our state,” Booker said in a statement. “I know that in his time in the Senate, he will dedicate himself to improving the lives of all those we represent.”
Menendez was found guilty in July by a Manhattan jury on 16 federal counts of extortion, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, acting as a foreign agent for Egypt, bribery, and conspiracy. He coordinated a yearslong bribery and conspiracy scheme consisting of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars, luxury gifts, and 13 gold bars in exchange for helping Egyptian businessmen and meddling on behalf of friends and family in criminal investigations.
Menendez maintains his innocence and plans to fight to overturn the conviction. His sentencing is Oct. 29.
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Menendez did not resign until Aug. 20, more than a month after his July 16 conviction. The delay allowed him to secure extra paychecks from his $174,000 annual salary but avoid being expelled by his colleagues from the Senate.
Helmy will play a crucial role in a host of high-stakes votes in the coming weeks, including on government funding to avoid a shutdown ahead of the November elections. Senate Democrats control the chamber by a singular vote.
