Governor Murphy is expected to appoint George helmy his former Chief of Staff to temporarily fill the seat of democratic US senator Bob Menendez while the election for a permanent replacement plays out Menendez will formerly resign next week after being convicted on corruption charges New Jersey Globe first reported Murphy's decision today sources confirmed to NJ Spotlight news helmy is locked in an official announcement could come as early as tomorrow the 44-year-old hel me is a veteran political operative and currently serves as an executive at RWJ Barnabas health and underwriter of NJ Spotlight news as senior correspondent Brenda Flanigan reports the choice is being met with mixed reaction I promise you we'll put somebody into that seat uh who has Jersey values but Governor Murphy declined to confirm that George helmy has pick to fill New Jersey soon to be vacated US senate seat that despite several sources and multiple news Outlet reporting the governor will appoint his close friend and former Chief of Staff to replace disgraced Senator Bob Menendez speaking on Fox 5 this morning Murphy did acknowledge reports that hel's his choice yep that is the rumor he's a great guy great professional great human being but nothing official nothing nothing to report Murphy promised an announcement over the next couple days helmy would only serve as placeholder for a few months since Jersey voters will elect a brand new senator in November polls currently put Democrat Andy Kim ahead in that race writers Micah rasmason believes instead of picking Kim to fill menendez's seat Murphy instead May opt to reward a friend with a singular honor if you are Governor Murphy there is no one closer there is no one who has meant more to your Administration there is no one who has meant more your political success uh than George helmy um he is a consummate Insider um I think personally uh it makes a lot of sense but it also Drew criticism ruer Professor Ross Baker posted on X that Murphy's Choice reminds us of his boosting Wife Tammy for the job Murphy's ex-chief of staff's like a relative Murphy disses Andy Kim and blocks his getting seniority whether or not this is a temporary appointment that could have bestowed incumbency to Andy Kim or whether or not this is a temporary appointment that could have bestowed um seniority to Andy Kim which ultimately could have benefited the state so you know that those are the questions but Republicans vehemently opposed making Kim an incumbent as quote putting a thumb on the scale of the upcoming election a Cadre of Jersey Democrats had urged Murphy to appoint Patricia compos Medina who also ran in the Senate primary as the first woman the first Latina and the first first woman of color to the US Senate in this critical moment like Kim she was also eager to serve but she wishes hel me well he is a very smart guy he has served in many administrations I think that the credentials are there for him to give leadership but I think this was an opportunity to also uh give stability to the position and actually be inclusive of many other voices uh in the process help me didn't respond to requests for comment the 44-year-old Jersey City native joined Murphy's staff in 2019 when he helped stabilize the administration's shaky relationship with state legislators he's currently an executive with RWJ Barnabas Heth and underwriter of NJ Spotlight news in the Senate he'd helped bolster Democrats Raaz her thin majority through an unprecedented presidential contest that could alter the balance of power in Congress he'll get that choice because of Bob Menendez being found guilty on 16 counts including bribery and Corruption we had in critical moment in our politics here in New Jersey and nationally and I think what people are looking for are leaders that give them hope so I am not going anywhere I am here to advocate for women and to advocate for New Jersey Working Families Mendez resigned effective August 20th he'd filed to run for reelection as an independent and has until tomorrow August 16th to pull his name off the ballot I'm Brenda Flanagan NJ Spotlight News