George Samir Helmy is an American politician and Democratic Party member who briefly served as U.S. Senator from New Jersey from August to December 2024. Appointed by Governor Phil Murphy to fill the vacancy left by Bob Menendez's resignation, he served as a caretaker senator until Andy Kim took office after winning the 2024 election. Notable achievements include being the first Coptic American and sole Arab American in the Senate during his tenure; as Murphy's chief of staff , he helped navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, upgrade state credit ratings, codify Roe v. Wade into law, strengthen gun safety regulations, and support Murphy's 2021 reelection. He sponsored or cosponsored over 30 bills, spoke on the Gaza humanitarian crisis after a Middle East trip, and engaged in constituent work. Currently, he serves as executive vice president and chief external affairs officer at RWJBarnabas Health, commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and on the Rutgers University Board of Governors.

Education and Political Experience

• Education details not specified in available records.
• State director and deputy chief of staff for U.S. Senator Cory Booker; aide to Senator Frank R. Lautenberg.
• Chief of staff to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy .
• Appointed U.S. Senator from New Jersey ; sworn in September 9, 2024; resigned December 8, 2024.