New Jersey Federal Senator George Helmy will resign on December 8th (Sunday), paving the way for Senator-elect Andy Kim to be sworn in on December 9th (Monday).
Congressman Andy Kim defeated his Republican opponent Curtis Bashaw in the November election with over 50% of the vote, becoming the first Korean-American Federal Senator in the United States.
Helmy, previously the chief of staff to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, did not intend to run for election. During his brief two-month term, he confirmed 20 judicial appointments through votes and handled over 100 constituent cases. He also advocated for the Youth Mental Health Act and promoted providing humanitarian aid to civilians in the Middle East.
In a statement, Helmy expressed that serving the people of New Jersey has been the honor of his lifetime and thanked Governor Murphy for the opportunity.
Andy Kim thanked Helmy for his service, describing his term as one filled with stability and dedication. Kim pledged to continue Helmy’s efforts on issues such as youth mental health.
Governor Murphy stated that appointing Andy Kim for an early takeover will ensure a smooth start to his term. He emphasized, “This is a respect for the election results and a responsible arrangement for the people of New Jersey.”