Helmy slated for appointment to Rutgers board

Gov. Phil Murphy plans to nominate George S. Helmy, a former U.S. Senator and his former chief of staff, to the Rutgers University Board of Governors, the New Jersey Globe has confirmed.

Murphy’s decision to place Helmy, his closest political advisor and ally, on the Rutgers Board comes at a time when the state university is searching for a new president to replace Jonathan Holloway when his contract expires on June 30.

The move could allow Murphy to end his frustration with the current Rutgers leadership before he leaves office early next year.

Professors went on strike for five days after failed negotiations with three unions – it was Gov. Phil Murphy, not Holloway, who played a pivotal role in forging an agreement from both sides — and the Rutgers Senate overwhelmingly passed a motion of no confidence in his leadership.

Rutgers is dealing with criticism of the alleged mistreatment of members of the Rutgers gymnastics team, as well as the resignation of Patrick Hobbs as athletic director after he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate.

Last year, Murphy was annoyed by the rejection of his candidate to succeed Peter J. McDonough, Jr. as senior vice president for external affairs, State Treasurer Elizabeth Muoio.

Helmy will have some allies on the board, including Gary Taffet, an ally of the governor and former chief of staff to Gov. James E. McGreevy.

The nomination is expected to move quickly through the State Senate.  As a result of Helmy’s service in the United States Senate, Senate President Nicholas Scutari has decided that all former senators – state and federal – are immune to the unwritten rules of senatorial courtesy.  Still, Helmy has strong relationships with the two Republican senators from Morris County, Anthony Bucco (R-Boonton) and Joseph Pennacchio (R-Montville), and would likely get signoff anyway.

Helmy will remain a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey commissioner.

After Bob Menendez resigned his U.S. Senate seat following his conviction on federal bribery and conspiracy charges, Murphy turned to Helmy to serve as an interim U.S. Senator.  He served from September 9 to December 8.  He dedicated his brief time in office to a few key issues, most notably youth mental health and the war in Gaza, on which he could work behind-the-scenes and make an impact.

Upon being sworn in, Helmy made history as the Senate’s first Coptic Christian member, and he was the only Arab American in the body throughout his tenure.

The 45-year-old Helmy was the most powerful non-elected official in New Jersey politics while serving as Murphy’s chief of staff for nearly five years. He also served as deputy chief of staff and state director for U.S. Senator Cory Booker, and as an aide to Booker’s predecessor, Frank R. Lautenberg.

Since leaving state government last year, Helmy has served as executive vice president and chief external affairs and policy officer at RWJBarnabas Health, New Jersey’s largest integrated healthcare delivery system, with research hospitals, acute care facilities, and academic centers with nearly 40,000 employees and over 1,000 physicians.  He returned there after his three months in the U.S. Senate.

In March 2023, Helmy became the longest-serving chief of staff for a New Jersey governor in state history, breaking a record held for over 33 years by Edward R. McGlynn, who served under Gov. Thomas Kean.