Menendez Replacement Resigns Senate Seat in New Jersey

Senator George Helmy (D-N.J.) appears to have had enough of politics.

You likely do not even know Helmy’s name unless you are a diehard politico. He was only recently appointed to fill the seat vacated by former Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.).

Now that Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) has won the election, Helmy wants to clear the way for him to take his seat now ahead of the next term.

Time to Go

Helmy was never the long-term solution, having been appointed by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, after Menendez resigned in disgrace.

It appears that Murphy did not want to impact the election by appointing Kim, so he appointed Helmy to fill the seat until after the election.

Helmy could have remained in the seat until January, but he is instead choosing to allow Kim to get his footing by resigning the seat now.

Helmy stated, “It is with a profound sense of gratitude and emotion that I announce my resignation as U.S. Senator for New Jersey.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime representing the people of New Jersey in the Senate and I am eternally grateful to Governor Murphy for entrusting me with this responsibility.”

Governor Murphy has already stated that he would appoint Kim to finish out the term before he starts serving the term for which he was elected.

Kim was grateful to Helmy, stating, “His tenure in the Senate was one of dedication and stability. He served the people of New Jersey well and drew attention to critical issues like the youth mental health crisis, an issue I plan to continue to focus on.”

When Kim is sworn in, he will be making history as the first Korean American to have won a seat in the Senate.

Kim has very small shoes to fill, taking over for the very corrupt Senator Menendez, who was finally taken down after years of allegations made against him.