New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has selected his former chief of staff to temporarily fill the seat of convicted U.S. Senator Bob Menendez. The governor announced that the winner of the upcoming November election will be appointed as soon as the results are certified. Democratic Rep. Andy Kim and Republican Curtis Bashaw are vying for the Senate seat.
The governor's decision not to appoint Kim, who is a strong contender in the election, was made to ensure a smooth transition for the elected candidate. The stakes are high in this election, as Democrats hold a narrow majority in the Senate, and Republicans have not won a Senate seat in New Jersey for over five decades.
