Sen. Bob Menendez officially ends campaign as governor appoints former chief of staff to seat
NEWARK, N.J. -- Embattled Sen. Bob Menendez officially ended his election campaign on Friday, days before he is set to resign. and just after Gov. Phil Murphy appointed a successor to fill the remainder of his term.
Menendez will officially resign on Aug. 20 after he was convicted on federal bribery charges. The 70-year-old Democrat planned to run again as an independent, but that's no longer the case.
In a statement to CBS News New York's Christine Sloan, Menendez said, "Yes, I have withdrawn from the race. Elections are about the future. Under the circumstances, my attempts to speak to what I have done for NJ and what I would do to lower costs for NJ families, expand health care coverage, continue to be a champion for women's reproductive rights and a global voice for Democracy and Human Rights, would be drowned out by my opponents using the jury's verdict. I look forward to being exonerated upon my appeal."
Who is George Samir Helmy?
Murphy appointed his former chief of staff George Samir Helmy to finish Menendez's term. Helmy will serve as interim senator until the November election to fill the seat.
Helmy served under Murphy for four and a half years, making him the longest serving gubernatorial chief of staff in state history. Prior to that, Helmy was a member of Sen. Cory Booker's senior staff.
"George is the ideal leader to take on this role. And he has more relevant experience under his belt than perhaps anybody in New Jersey," Murphy said.
Helmy grew up in Jersey City and went to Rutgers University before getting his Master's degree from Harvard University. After leaving the governor's office, he became an executive at RWJ Barnabas Health.
By appointing Helmy -- instead of one of the candidates vying for Menendez's seat -- Murphy avoids the appearance of influencing the upcoming November election.
"I have never, and will never, seek elected office. As a matter of fact, as the governor alluded to, the idea of senator bothers me deeply," said Helmy. "But out residents deserve a functioning senate office upon which they can call for help."
"This approach will allow the democratically chosen winner of this year's election to embark on the smoothest possible transition," the governor said after announcing Helmy's appointment. "When the people have spoken, their decision needs to trump mine, and that will happen."
What happens after Menendez officially resigns?
Menendez has said he will officially resign from his seat next Tuesday, August 20. His term expires on Jan. 3, 2025.
Helmy will begin serving as his replacement when the Senate is back in session in September. Then, a newly elected senator -- the winner of the race between Democrat Andy Kim and Republican Curtis Bashaw -- will take over the seat in January.
"Although I will only for serve a few months, I will do my very best to ensure that our work is about 'us' and not about 'I,'" Helmy said Friday. "Governor, I accept this appointment with great humility but an even greater sense of determination, and I'm eager to get back to work."
Menendez was convicted on federal bribery charges last month for accepting gold bars and cash in exchange for political favors. In his resignation letter, he said he intends to appeal the verdict, but he doesn't want "the Senate to be involved in a lengthy process that will detract from its important work."
New Jersey lawmakers react to Menendez's replacement
Booker, the state's other senator, called the decision to appoint Helmy a "wise and historic choice."
"From his dedicated years of service for Senator Lautenberg and his strong leadership as my state director, George knows how a Senator can be most effective for the people of New Jersey. Even more so, his experience as Governor Murphy's chief of staff makes him deeply knowledgeable about the diverse needs of our state," Booker said in a statement. "George is a leader who will undoubtedly make a difference in the lives of New Jerseyans as our Senator, even in this short period of time. I will be proud to serve alongside him. And I know he will make New Jerseyans proud through his service too."
Kim also praised the move on social media.
"Having led Senator Booker's state operations for a number of years, George Helmy knows how to navigate the Senate and can step in immediately to keep delivering services for our state. That's incredibly important experience with so many challenging issues facing our state and our nation," Kim posted. "I look forward to working with him in the Capitol."
On the other side of the aisle, Republican State Senate Leader Anthony Bucco said Helmy is a "trusted and well-respected leader."
"He's also a proven public servant who I consider a good friend and an even better man," Bucco said in a statement. "I applaud the Governor's decision to follow 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's favor. New Jerseyans are in good hands with George in D.C."
