TRENTON, N.J. AP — New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez is expected to resign by the end of Tuesday, following his recent conviction on federal bribery charges.
Last month, Menendez informed Democratic Governor Phil Murphy of his decision to step down. On Friday, Murphy announced that George Helmy, a former top aide, will take over Menendez’s seat until the results of the November Senate election are confirmed later this month. After that, Helmy will resign, and the election winner will be appointed to the position.
The upcoming Senate election is crucial, with Democrats holding a slim majority. Republicans have not won a Senate seat in New Jersey, which typically leans Democratic, in over 50 years.
In the general election, Democratic Representative Andy Kim is running against Republican hotel developer Curtis Bashaw.
Helmy, 44, was Murphy’s chief of staff from 2019 to 2023 and is currently an executive at RWJBarnabas Health, one of the state’s largest healthcare providers. He also served as state director for Senator Cory Booker.
Menendez, 70, was found guilty of using his influence to interfere in various investigations to benefit certain businessmen. He was accused of aiding a friend with a multimillion-dollar deal and helping another retain a contract for meat certification for Egypt. Additionally, Menendez was convicted of actions that benefited Egypt’s government in exchange for bribes, including sharing embassy personnel details and drafting a letter about military aid to Egypt. Authorities also discovered gold bars and $480,000 hidden in his home.
Menendez has denied the charges and plans to appeal his conviction, according to a letter he sent to Murphy last month.
His resignation marks the likely end of a long political career that began with his election to the local school board shortly after high school. Menendez also served in the state Legislature, Congress, and the Senate. He is the only U.S. senator to be indicted twice.
In 2015, Menendez faced charges for allegedly accepting luxury vacations and campaign contributions in exchange for influence. After a hung jury in 2017, federal prosecutors dropped the case. He decided not to run in this year’s primary but filed as an independent candidate for the fall election, only to withdraw his candidacy on Friday.
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