In less than three months since taking office U.S. Sen. George Helmy (D-NJ) has introduced or co-sponsored 30 bills, voted on five resolutions that passed the Senate and 20 federal judicial nominees.
According to Helmy’s office, he also served on three Senate committees, stumped for Vice President Kamala Harris on the campaign trail and made a trip to the Middle East. Even his Republican counterparts have said Helmy hit the ground running in Washington, making the most of his brief tenure as a caretaker in the position left vacant by convicted former Sen. Bob Menendez.
On Sunday, Helmy will officially step down from the interim role he was appointed to by Gov. Phil Murphy. Sen.-elect Andy Kim, who was elected last month, will take over.
“Surreal is one word and just an incredible honor,” said Helmy, describing his stint in office during an interview with NJ Spotlight News. “I’ve been a staffer for two former senators and the longest serving chief of staff in the state. So, I knew the issues. I knew what we were fighting for already with the congressional delegation and we’ve been able to hit the ground running.”
“As I have in my entire public service career, I know the best route for getting things done is to reach across the aisle and take meetings and explain the issues and why they’re important to working families,” Helmy said. “I’ve been very fortunate not only on the youth mental health, which has been my domestic priority, but a number of our funding priorities and appropriations requests to really see bipartisan support on those issues. And I’m very hopeful that as Senator-elect Kim takes office soon we’re going see those New Jersey priorities come to fruition.”
