WASHINGTON (Reuters) – New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy will appoint his former chief of staff, George Helmy, to replace Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, who has said he will resign next week after being convicted on corruption charges, the New Jersey Globe reported on Wednesday.
Murphy, a Democrat, is expected to formally offer Helmy the post on Thursday and announce his selection on Friday, the Globe reported, without citing sources.
Murphy’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
Helmy served as Murphy’s chief of staff until October. Currently an executive at a healthcare company, Helmy earlier in his career worked for U.S. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey and former Senator Frank Lautenberg.
Menendez, who has represented New Jersey in the Senate since 2006, announced last month he would resign on Aug. 20 following his conviction on corruption charges, including bribery and acting as an agent for Egypt’s government.
(Reporting by Eric Beech; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
