Senator George Helmy of New Jersey, who was appointed as a caretaker for former Senator Bob Menendez, will be resigning on Sunday to make way for his successor, Senator-elect Andy Kim. Helmy’s brief tenure, lasting exactly three months, is one of the shortest in Senate history. His early exit was agreed upon before he even took office in order for Kim to gain seniority over other freshman senators.
In an interview, Helmy praised Kim as the ideal candidate for the position, noting his experience and compassion. During his time in the Senate, Helmy focused on youth mental health and highlighted the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East with a trip to Jordan. He also introduced over 30 bills during his short tenure.
As a seasoned insider in New Jersey politics, having previously served as chief of staff to Governor Phil Murphy and as a staffer for Senator Cory Booker, Helmy is now considering his next steps. Kim thanked Helmy for stepping up during a time of need and Murphy expressed gratitude for his commitment to serving the people of New Jersey.
Helmy’s departure will allow for a smooth transition of power to Kim, who is one of six Democrats elected to a full term in the Senate. Despite his short time in office, Helmy is proud of his accomplishments and looks forward to deciding on his next career move in the days to come.
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