Murphy appoints Kim to U.S. Senate seat

As expected, Gov. Phil Murphy today formally appointed Andy Kim to fill the last 25 days of Bob Menendez’s term in the United States Senate.

Kim, a three-term congressman from South Jersey and a former Obama White House official, won a six-year term in the Senate on November 5.

“Today, I am appointing Senator-elect Andy Kim to the United States Senate so he can begin his term in office before the new year begins,” Murphy said.   “Taking this step will allow Senator Kim to embark on the smoothest possible transition into his new role so he can hit the ground running serving the people of New Jersey.”

Kim will be sworn into the Senate tomorrow.  He succeeds George Helmy, who was appointed by Murphy in August to replace Menendez, a senator for nearly nineteen years until he resigned following his conviction on federal bribery and conspiracy charges.

When he announced his appointment of Kim in August, Murphy committed to appointing the winner of the 2024 Senate race after the results were certified; he was also prepared to name Republican Curtis Bashaw had the election gone in a different direction.

Still, there is some irony to Murphy’s decision: Kim’s success came at the expense of the governor’s wife, First Lady Tammy Murphy, who was also a candidate for the Senate.  She withdrew before the late March filing deadline.   Murphy only begrudgingly said that he would even vote for Kim.

Kim will resign his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives effective today.  New Jersey’s 3rd district will remain vacant until January 3.

Murphy praised Helmy, his former chief of staff, for taking the 90-day appointment.

“I want to thank our outgoing U.S. Senator George Helmy for his continued service to New Jersey and the nation over the past three months and for working closely with Senator-elect Kim to ensure a seamless transition,” said Murphy.

The two-term governor also noted that Kim will become New Jersey’s first Asian American senator, and the first Korean American to serve in the Senate.

“His election represents a proud milestone – not just for our great state, but for our entire country,” Murphy said.  “I look forward to working with Senator Kim to continue lowering costs for New Jerseyans, defending our fundamental freedoms, and building a stronger and fairer state for every family.”

Kim is expected to be sworn in after Adam Schiff, a California Democrat who will succeed the late Diane Feinstein in the U.S. Senate.

“It’s an honor to get to represent the state that gave my family a chance at the American Dream in the U.S. Senate,” said Kim. “It’s a dream that remains out of reach for too many of our neighbors, and one that I’m ready on day one to fight for. I want to thank Governor Murphy and Senator Helmy for ensuring that New Jersey was well represented during this transition, and look forward to getting to work for the people.”