Gov. Phil Murphy has appointed George Helmy, his former chief of staff, to the U.S. Senate seat that will soon be vacated by disgraced Senator Bob Menendez. Here are the reactions to his choice.
GOV. PHIL MURPHY
“It is an honor to appoint George Helmy, a proven public servant who deeply understands the complexities of Congress, to the United States Senate. George is the model of integrity we need to help restore public trust in our state’s leadership. There is no one better prepared — or more committed — to delivering for the people of our state, especially when it comes to providing the highest caliber of constituent services. For four and a half years, I witnessed firsthand George’s unique skillset, wealth of knowledge, and willingness to pour his heart and soul into serving the people of our state. I have absolute confidence that he will serve New Jerseyans well over the next few months.
Once the voters of New Jersey elect their next representative in the United States Senate, and their votes are certified, I will appoint the winner of November’s election to the United States Senate before the new year begins. This approach will allow the democratically-chosen winner of November’s election to embark on the smoothest possible transition into office so they can provide the best possible representation for New Jersey.”
U.S. SENATOR CORY BOOKER
“Governor Murphy has made a wise and historic choice in appointing George Helmy to the Senate. New Jersey deserves the most prepared and capable person to serve in this interim period. There is perhaps no one else more qualified to hit the ground running and make an impact for New Jersey in this role over the next several months. From his dedicated years of service for Senator Lautenberg and his strong leadership as my state director, George knows how a Senator can be most effective for the people of New Jersey. Even more so, his experience as Governor Murphy’s chief of staff makes him deeply knowledgeable about the diverse needs of our state.
George is a leader who will undoubtedly make a difference in the lives of New Jerseyans as our Senator, even in this short period of time. I will be proud to serve alongside him. And I know he will make New Jerseyans proud through his service too.”
CONGRESSMAN & DEMOCRATIC U.S. SENATE NOMINEE ANDY KIM
“Having led Senator Booker’s state operations for a number of years, George Helmy knows how to navigate the Senate and can step in immediately to keep delivering services for our state. That’s incredibly important experience with so many challenging issues facing our state and our nation. I look forward to working with him in the Capitol.”
REPUBLICAN U.S. SENATE NOMINEE CURTIS BASHAW
“Congratulations to George Helmy on his appointment to this position. George has a wealth of government experience and knows the state of New Jersey well.
Governor Murphy did the right thing in appointing a temporary caretaker to this seat and letting New Jersey voters make the ultimate decision on who will best represent them in the United States Senate come November.
On Election Day, I’m confident New Jerseyans will vote to make a change from the Democratic monopoly that has brought them decades of corruption, higher taxes, and chaos at the border.”
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TAHESHA WAY
“George Helmy is one of the most committed public servants I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I am confident that he will provide New Jerseyans with the principled and effective leadership that they deserve. George is brilliant, caring, and extremely dedicated to serving our state. This appointment by Governor Murphy ensures that our state is in good hands until the people of New Jersey elect their next Senator.”
STATE SENATE MINORITY LEADER ANTHONY M. BUCCO
“George Helmy is not only a trusted and well-respected leader, he’s also a proven public servant who I consider a good friend and an even better man. I applaud the Governor’s decision to follow the tradition of appointing a placeholder and letting the voters have their say this November in a fair and honest election without tipping the scales in anyone’s favor. New Jerseyans are in good hands with George in D.C.”
STATE SENATE PRESIDENT NICK SCUTARI
“George Helmy is the consummate public servant. His work as the longest serving chief of staff will benefit the people of New Jersey well into the future. I am confident that he will serve as an effective representative and will work tirelessly to advance New Jersey’s interests in Washington.”
STATE ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CRAIG COUGHLIN
“George has exemplified the best in public service throughout his career. His experience in federal and state government makes him eminently qualified to serve and ensure our state is well-represented until the voters select our next Senator. In his time as Chief of Staff to Governor Murphy, he provided valuable insight and worked collaboratively with legislative leadership to deliver for the people of New Jersey. I am confident he will bring those values and sensibilities to Washington.”
STATE SENATOR & 2025 REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE JON BRAMNICK
“George Helmy is a class act. I congratulate George on his appointment to the United States Senate. George is fair, honest and respected by both sides of the aisle.”
STATE SENATOR VIN GOPAL
“Governor Murphy made a strong choice in selecting George Helmy as US Senator. George’s tenure as Chief of Staff was very successful in part due to his unique ability go build consensus among different parties. His skillsets are exactly what our state and country needs right now. Having known George for 15 years, when he was working at his family’s small-business – it’s incredible to see all his success. I wish my friend Senator Helmy all the best these next 6 months.”
ASSEMBLYWOMAN ANNETTE QUIJANO
“George Helmy is a consummate public servant who will be an outstanding U.S. Senator for New Jersey.
Under the Governor’s leadership, I’ve worked closely with George to move our state forward on a range of challenging issues, including expanding driver’s licenses to New Jerseyans regardless of immigration status, anti-wage theft legislation, expungement expansion, expanding paid family leave, and the legalization of adult-use marijuana. He has always been a capable and thoughtful leader, always accessible, and responsive to calls.
In my fifteen years in elected office, I have seen many public servants, but George stands out as uniquely wise and effective, always working behind the scenes to make positive things happen for the people.
I know that Senator Helmy will continue to be accessible to constituents and will help establish trust with the people we serve. Given his own family’s immigrant background, I urge Senator Helmy to continue fostering deep connections with all communities, regardless of their background or origin.”
ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE JOE DIVINCENZO
“Once again, Governor Murphy has made the right choice and done what’s best for New Jersey by naming George Helmy as our interim Senator. George has a long and diverse record as a public servant and has extensive experience working on multiple levels of government. In addition to the Governor, George has been a trusted advisor to Senator Cory Booker and currently as Executive Vice President/Chief External Affairs and Policy Officer to RWJBarnabas Health President and CEO Mark Manigan, who leads the state’s largest healthcare system. I have worked closely with George for years on many issues affecting Essex County and have found him to be understanding, thoughtful, knowledgeable, helpful and pragmatic. These traits and his outstanding work ethic will enable George to hit the ground running and will serve New Jersey well in the short time that he will be on Capitol Hill.”
FORMER ASSEMBLYMAN & RFK JR. ADVISOR JAMEL HOLLEY
“I extend my sincere congratulations to George Helmy on his appointment to the United States Senate. This is a well-deserved recognition of his unwavering commitment to public service and his dedication to the people of New Jersey.
George is not only a decent man but also a remarkable leader. Throughout my years of collaboration with him, I have come to admire his strong work ethic. In a political landscape that often invites scrutiny and criticism, George has consistently demonstrated a commitment to transparency and fairness as much as possible. His character shines through in every interaction, making him a respected figure among his peers and constituents alike.
As Chief of Staff in New Jersey, George has taken on a demanding role that requires not only strategic thinking but also exceptional interpersonal skills. He often finds himself in the position of having to navigate tough conversations, whether with fellow officials, community leaders, or constituents. In my experience, he approaches these challenges with humility and a genuine desire to find equitable solutions that benefit all parties involved. His ability to listen and engage thoughtfully sets him apart as a leader who truly cares about the needs of the community.
I firmly believe that the governor made an excellent choice in appointing George to the Senate. His wealth of experience in government and his deep understanding of the issues facing our state will serve him well in this new role. I am confident that he will carry the concerns of New Jersey residents with him to Washington, advocating tirelessly for their needs and interests.
As George embarks on this important journey, I have no doubt that he will approach each day with diligence and a strong sense of purpose. He is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of New Jerseyans, and I look forward to seeing the contributions he will make in the coming months.
To that end, I wish George nothing but the best in this new chapter of his career. May he continue to serve our state with integrity and dedication as he takes on this vital role in the United States Senate.”
FORMER ASSEMBLYMAN & UTILITY AND TRANSPORTATION CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DAVID RIBLE
“On behalf of UTCA, we congratulate George Helmy on his appointment to the United States Senate. I worked with George both as an Assemblyman and as Executive Director of UTCA and he’s always been willing to hear the issues and listen to all sides. He also understands that infrastructure is one of the most important issues in our country, especially here in New Jersey. Even if this is temporary, George will still be a voice for the needs of our state and for much needed federal dollars. We look forward to working with him and stand ready to provide any assistance he needs.”
N.J. COALITION OF LATINO PASTORS AND MINISTERS VICE PRESIDENT REV. BOLIVAR FLORES
“George Helmy cares, supports, and understands the promise of the American Dream. George is a man of deep faith, whose commitment to NJ families inspires him to fight for opportunity. George will be a great Senator for NJ, he knows the Senate, he knows NJ, and he knows how to get things done.”
PASTOR DAVID JEFFERSON
“I applaud Governor Murphy for appointing George to represent the state of New Jersey. I have worked with George for years, and I can tell you that he has a ‘big heart’ for the citizens of this state and an excellent understanding of our issues. I’m excited to see George in this role. New Jersey is in good hands with our Sr. Senator Booker and George leading the way.”
MCCARTER & ENGLISH GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS PRACTICE CHAIR GUILLERMO ARTILES
“He’s a consummate professional who I was fortunate to know even before he went on to become the longest serving chief of staff to a NJ Governor. He performed that very difficult job with ease; it’ll be no different when he’s in the Club of 100.”
GARDEN STATE EQUALITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CHRISTIAN FUSCARINO
“Governor Phil Murphy’s appointment of George Helmy to fill the Senate vacancy reinforces his commitment to social progress. George is a tireless and unwavering ally – often working behind the scenes with social justice organizations to ensure all marginalized communities have a seat at the table. This choice reflects the Murphy administration’s enduring dedication to equality and inclusion, and I’m confident George will champion the values that have advanced diverse communities under this administration.”
ARAB AMERICAN INSTITUTE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MAYA BERRY
“AAI focuses on promoting and celebrating public service. As Governor Murphy noted, Helmy has a distinguished career of quiet public service, putting the people’s interests first and focusing on getting the job done. Helmy himself cites constituent services as one of the jobs he has most enjoyed and looks forward to. This appointment is a win for the people of New Jersey, and we know they can count on Senator Helmy to work hard over the next 100 days. Helmy is a shining example of the value and rewards of serving others. He’s also an inspiration to all young Arab Americans who feel called to a life of public service.”
PATERSON COUNCILMAN AL ABDELAZIZ
“I congratulate George Helmy on his historic appointment as Interim U.S. Senator for New Jersey. His selection marks a significant milestone, reflecting his leadership and the growing diversity in our state. As the first Arab American to serve in the Senate, George’s commitment to public service and his ability to bridge communities make him an outstanding choice. His appointment is a testament to his hard work and an inspiring moment for Arab Americans and all those who believe in the promise of the American Dream. We stand united in our support for George Helmy and his commitment to serving all residents of New Jersey with integrity and honor.”