George Helmy
George Helmy | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 27, 1979 Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Known for | United States Senator from New Jersey (2024) |
George Samir Helmy (born October 27, 1979) is an American political figure who held the position of United States senator representing New Jersey from August through December 2024. Affiliated with the Democratic Party, he was appointed by Governor Phil Murphy after Senator Bob Menendez resigned. Prior to his Senate role, Helmy served as Murphy's chief of staff between 2019 and 2023. He is recognized as the first U.S. senator of Coptic American heritage. Beginning in 2025, Helmy has been a member of the Rutgers University Board of Governors.
Early life and education
Born in Jersey City, New Jersey to immigrant parents from Egypt, Helmy grew up in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. During his time at Glen Ridge High School, he participated in both basketball and football. He obtained a bachelor's degree in psychology from Rutgers University–Newark and later earned a master's degree in finance and management through Harvard University's Extension School. Helmy identifies as Egyptian American.
Career
From 2001 until 2013, Helmy was employed as a business operations manager at UPS. Concurrently, between 2012 and 2013, he worked as a staff assistant and constituent advocate for Senator Frank Lautenberg. Afterwards, he advanced to deputy director and subsequently state director for Senator Cory Booker. In January 2019, Helmy joined Governor Phil Murphy's team as chief of staff. Although he briefly stepped down in October 2021 to support Murphy’s reelection efforts, he returned after 18 days. Helmy departed the governor’s office in September 2023, with NJDOT commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti succeeding him. Following this, he took on roles including executive vice president and chief external affairs and policy officer at RWJBarnabas Health, as well as commissioner for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
In June 2020, Christopher Neuwirth, former Assistant Commissioner at the Department of Health, filed a lawsuit against New Jersey and Helmy alleging wrongful termination after reporting an ethics breach related to COVID-19 testing requests amid shortages.
Politically, Helmy was registered as a Republican until 2011 before becoming an independent voter. He briefly registered as a Democrat in 2018 to participate in the party's primary but then reverted to independent status until March 2024, when he officially rejoined the Democratic Party.
U.S. Senate
On August 13, 2024, the New Jersey Globe announced that Helmy would be appointed to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by Bob Menendez. Governor Murphy confirmed this appointment on August 16. Helmy was officially sworn in on September 9 by Senate President pro tempore Patty Murray. Acting as a caretaker senator, he chose not to run in the November 2024 election. Governor Murphy indicated that Helmy would step down following certification of election results to enable the victor to gain seniority among incoming senators. After winning the election, Andy Kim assumed office on December 9, succeeding Helmy who resigned on December 8.
On September 10, 2024, Helmy introduced his inaugural bill proposing to rename sites within the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in tribute to the late Congressman Bill Pascrell.
Committee memberships
Career after Senate
In February 2025, Governor Murphy named Helmy to the Rutgers University Board of Governors, with a term extending through June 2030. Subsequently, in June 2025, Murphy’s budget plan allocated opioid settlement monies to hospitals in New Jersey amid reductions in Medicaid funding under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Helmy’s appointment as executive vice president at RWJBarnabas Health soon after sparked discussions regarding possible conflicts of interest.
Personal background
By 2024, Helmy lives in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey alongside his wife, Caroline, and their two children. He holds the distinction of being the first Coptic American to serve as a U.S. senator.