{"id":2325696,"date":"2024-08-16T14:05:02","date_gmt":"2024-08-16T18:05:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/murphy-taps-former-aid-to-fill-menendez-senate-seat-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-16T14:08:18","modified_gmt":"2024-08-16T18:08:18","slug":"murphy-taps-former-aid-to-fill-menendez-senate-seat-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/murphy-taps-former-aid-to-fill-menendez-senate-seat-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Murphy taps former aid to fill Menendez\u2019 Senate seat &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmurphy-taps-former-aid-to-fill-menendez-senate-seat-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2325696&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has appointed George Helmy, a former\u2062 chief of staff, as\u2064 the interim U.S. \u200cSenator following Bob \u200dMenendez&#8217;s upcoming resignation due to federal\u2063 bribery convictions. Menendez, who\u2064 faces 16 counts \u200bof various crimes, is expected to step down \u2062on August 20 while he appeals \u2064the verdict. Helmy will serve until November 27, \u2063shortly after \u2063the upcoming election, \u200callowing for a seamless transition \u2064to \u200cthe\u2062 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/u-s-senates-ex-sergeant-at-arms-is-now-lobbying-for-a-chinese-communist-military-firm\/\" title=\"U.S. Senate\u2019s Ex-Sergeant At Arms Is Now Lobbying For a Chinese Communist Military Firm\">newly elected senator<\/a>. Murphy praised Helmy&#8217;s integrity and \u200bexperience in Washington politics, emphasizing his commitment to serving the people of New Jersey. Helmy, currently \u2062an executive at RWJ Barnabas Health, expressed\u2064 his honor in serving and pledged to restore public trust in leadership during\u2062 his interim term.\u200c Rep. Andy Kim has won the Democratic\u200b nomination to contest the seat \u200din the \u2064November election against Republican candidate Curti.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Murphy taps former aid to fill Menendez&rsquo; Senate seat<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1732180\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &mdash; New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is tapping a former aide to fill a vacant U.S. Senator when Democrat Bob Menendez resigns later this month following his conviction on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-york-lt-gov-brian-benjamin-arrested-for-campaign-finance-scheme\/\" title=\"New York Lt. Gov Brian Benjamin Arrested For Campaign Finance Scheme\">federal bribery charges<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>On Friday, Murphy announced that his former chief of staff, George Helmy, a Democrat, will serve as an interim senator until after the Nov. 5 election when the winner of the race is determined.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Menendez, 70, was convicted by a New York City jury in July of 16 counts of bribery, extortion, fraud and acting as a foreign agent. He is expected to step down from office on Aug. 20 as he appeals the verdict.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Murphy praised Helmy as &ldquo;a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/a-former-federal-prosecutors-bid-to-bring-common-sense-to-southern-california\/\" title=\"A Former Federal Prosecutor\u2019s Bid To Bring Common Sense to Southern California\">proven public servant<\/a> &rdquo; who understands Washington politics and has a &ldquo;unique skillset, wealth of knowledge, and willingness to pour his heart and soul into serving the people of our state.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;George is the model of integrity we need to help restore public trust in our state&rsquo;s leadership,&rdquo; Murphy, a Democrat, said in a statement. &ldquo;There is no one better prepared &mdash; or more committed &mdash; to delivering for the people of our state, especially when it comes to providing the highest caliber of constituent services.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Murphy said the plan for transitioning the seat calls for Helmy to hold the position until Nov. 27&nbsp; &mdash; nearly three weeks after the election &mdash; when he will appoint the winner of the November election.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This approach will allow the democratically-chosen winner of November&rsquo;s election to embark on the smoothest possible transition into office so they can provide the best possible representation for New Jersey,&rdquo; Murphy said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Helmy, who served as Murphy&rsquo;s chief of staff from 2019 to 2023, is currently an executive at RWJ Barnabas Health, one of the state&rsquo;s largest health care providers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;While I am honored to serve and provide New Jersey with a Senate office that they can depend on, I commit to stepping down early to give the duly elected Senator the chance to begin their work,&rdquo; Helmy said in a statement. &ldquo;As I serve my state as Senator for the next few months, I promise to work for the people of New Jersey and hope to restore their faith in public service.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., won the Democratic Party&rsquo;s nomination to run for Menendez&rsquo;s seat in November against Republican Curtis Bashaw. Kim had faced what promised to be a bruising primary against first lady Tammy Murphy before she dropped her bid.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Menendez had filed to run for reelection as an independent, saying he would continue his campaign if acquitted of the charges.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>His pending resignation will cap a dramatic downfall for one of New Jersey&rsquo;s most powerful Democratic politicians, who has served in the Senate since 2006. It also prevents what promised to be a nasty inter-party fight over expelling him from the chamber ahead of the November elections.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Republican lawmakers, who had urged Murphy not to appoint Kim to fill out the remainder of Menendez&rsquo;s term, welcomed the decision to tap Helmy for the temporary job.<\/p>\n<p>Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco praised Murphy for adhering to &ldquo;the tradition of appointing a placeholder and letting the voters have their say this November in a fair and honest election without tipping the scales in anyone&rsquo;s favor.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;George Helmy is not only a trusted and well-respected leader, he&rsquo;s also a proven public servant who I consider a good friend and an even better man,&rdquo; Bucco said in a statement. &ldquo;New Jerseyans are in good hands with George in D.C.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1732180\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1732180\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has chosen a former aide to take over the U.S. Senate seat that will be vacated by Democrat Bob Menendez, who is resigning later this month after being convicted on federal bribery charges. On Friday, Murphy revealed that George Helmy, his former chief of staff and a fellow Democrat, will serve as interim senator until the winner of the upcoming election on November 5 is determined. Menendez, 70, was found guilty in July on multiple counts including bribery and fraud and plans to resign from office on August 20 while he appeals his conviction.<\/p>\n<p>Murphy commended Helmy as &#8220;a proven public servant&#8221; with a deep understanding of Washington politics and praised his dedication to serving New Jersey residents. He stated that Helmy embodies the integrity needed to rebuild public trust in state leadership and is well-prepared to provide high-quality constituent services.<\/p>\n<p>The transition plan allows Helmy to hold the position until November 27\u2014almost three weeks post-election\u2014when he will appoint the newly elected senator. Murphy emphasized that this strategy would facilitate a smooth transition for whoever wins in November so they can effectively represent New Jersey.<\/p>\n<p>Helmy previously served as Murphy&#8217;s chief of staff from 2019 until earlier this year and currently works at RWJ Barnabas Health, one of New Jersey&#8217;s largest healthcare providers. In his statement, Helmy expressed honor in serving but committed to stepping down early for the newly elected senator\u2019s benefit.<\/p>\n<p>Rep. Andy Kim has secured the Democratic nomination for Menendez\u2019s seat against Republican Curtis Bashaw in November after facing potential competition from first lady Tammy Murphy before she withdrew her candidacy. Although Menendez had filed to run for reelection as an independent contingent upon an acquittal, his resignation marks a significant decline for one of New Jersey&#8217;s influential Democratic figures who has been in office since 2006.<\/p>\n<p>This decision also averts what could have been an intense intra-party conflict regarding expelling him from Congress ahead of elections. Republican leaders welcomed Murphy&#8217;s choice of Helmy over Kim for this temporary role; Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco praised it as adhering to tradition by allowing voters their say without biasing the election outcome.<\/p>\n<p>Bucco described Helmy as not only trustworthy but also a respected leader and good friend who would serve New Jersey well in Washington D.C<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2325697,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Menendez-trial.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[21401,8138,35374],"class_list":["post-2325696","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-menendez","tag-murphy","tag-senate-seat"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Menendez-trial.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2325696","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2325696"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2325696\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2325697"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2325696"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2325696"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2325696"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}