New Jersey Sen. George S. Helmy, who was appointed to succeed former Sen. Bob Menendez this summer, said he will resign on Sunday, allowing fellow Democrat Andy Kim to take office nearly a month ahead of other newly elected senators.
“It is with a profound sense of gratitude and emotion that I announce my resignation as U.S. Senator for New Jersey,” Helmy said in a statement Tuesday.
New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy picked Helmy, his former chief of staff, to succeed Menendez, who resigned in August after he was found guilty of 16 counts, including bribery, extortion and acting as a foreign agent. At the time, Murphy said Helmy would hold the seat as a caretaker until the election was certified, and the governor would appoint the winner to serve out the final weeks of Menendez’s term. Kim will begin a full six-year term in January.
The New Jersey Board of State Canvassers is expected to meet on Friday to certify the election results. Kim, a three-term House member from South Jersey, defeated Republican Curtis Bashaw last month by 10 points. He will be the first Korean American senator and the first Asian American senator from the Garden State.
Kim launched his Senate campaign a day after Menendez was first indicted last year. Murphy’s wife, New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy, also ran for the Democratic nomination but suspended her campaign ahead of the primary.
Helmy, the son of Egyptian immigrants, said in his statement that was proud of the work he was able to do during his brief tenure.
“From the introduction and co-sponsorship of several bills to advance youth mental health in our country to speaking up for humanitarian aid to civilians in the Middle East to working with my fellow Senators on both sides of the aisle to do big things for our constituents, I will look back on this time with great affection,” he said.
Helmy said that New Jersey voters “made the right decision” to elect Kim and that he would support him in the transition period.
“Having known him for nearly a decade now, I can attest to Senator Kim’s great dedication, character, and empathy towards the people of New Jersey,” Helmy said. “Andy and I have worked closely since his being elected to ensure a seamless transition and I have made myself readily available over the coming weeks to support this process.”
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