FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2024
Contact: Tyler Jones
Press Office: U.S. Senator George Helmy
Email: Tyler_Jones@helmy.senate.gov
WASHINGTON, DC – United States Senator George Samir Helmy was officially sworn in this evening, making him the only Arab American Senator in the 118th United States Congress. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy appointed the interim Senator in August to maintain New Jersey’s interests in the nation’s capital in the wake of the resignation of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez.
Senator Helmy will represent New Jersey on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senate Finance Committee, and Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, influencing some of the world’s most important decisions.
“It is an honor and a privilege to represent the great State of New Jersey in this capacity,” said United States Senator George Helmy. “New Jersey deserves its full voice and representation on the floor of the United States Senate, and I am committed to supporting the needs of our constituents over the next few months as we navigate such a critical time in our nation’s history.
“It is an honor to see one of our state’s greatest public servants, George Helmy, take his oath of office today as a United States Senator,” said Governor Murphy. “At every stage of his career—from his service with Senators Lautenberg and Booker to his role, with our Administration, as New Jersey’s longest-serving gubernatorial Chief of Staff—George has been a model of integrity and conviction. And today, as the proud son of immigrants, he is also making history as the only Arab American Senator in the 118th Congress. George’s vast experience in both the private and public sectors will serve him well in Washington, D.C., and even more importantly, it will serve the people of New Jersey well. I thank him for his commitment to our state’s future and to improving the lives of our neighbors in New Jersey.”
“George Helmy has spent almost his entire career dedicated to serving the people of New Jersey, and during his tenure as my state director, I witnessed his exceptional leadership and profound understanding of the key issues affecting our state,” said Senator Cory Booker. “I know that in his time in the Senate, he will dedicate himself to improving the lives of all those we represent. I welcome George to the Senate, I look forward to working alongside him, and I know he will make New Jersey proud.”
U.S. Senator George Helmy has served the people of New Jersey in various capacities for nearly two decades. Most notably, Helmy was the longest-serving Chief of Staff to any New Jersey Governor, having served Governor Phil Murphy from 2019 to 2023. Before joining the Governor’s office, Helmy served as the State Director to U.S. Senator Cory Booker. Prior to that, he worked as Senator Booker’s state office Deputy Chief of Staff. Helmy also served as an aide and caseworker to the late U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg.
Most recently, Helmy served as Executive Vice President and Chief External Affairs and Policy Officer at RWJ Barnabas Health.
A Jersey City native, Helmy currently lives in Morris County with his wife and two children. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University and a Master’s degree from Harvard University.