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.
