NEWARK – George Helmy’s time in the Senate is going to be even less than originally thought.
He’ll be leaving in mid-November, which gives him about three months in Washington – less than the usual political measuring stick of 100 days.

As he formally announced Helmy’s appointment Friday, Gov. Phil Murphy also said something that can turn out to be more consequential.

He said that once the November Senate election is certified, Helmy will resign and the election winner will replace him. Normally, Helmy’s appointment would have gone to the first week of January, or the end of Bob Menendez’ term.

This means that if Republican Curtis Bashaw wins the Senate race, he will begin serving in November. And that would give Republicans a majority in the Senate.

When that possibility was raised with the governor at a press event, Murphy said he was not thinking about politics.

He said it’s important – and right – for the man who voters elect to take the seat as soon as possible. The election is Nov. 5 and certification is expected in mid-November.

“The winner will be in the seat,” Murphy said.

The governor is taking the high road here, pledging to have Helmy resign and to appoint the winner – even if it is a Republican.

Then again, Democrats have won every Senate election in New Jersey since 1972, so if the governor is assuming Democrat Andy Kim will win this fall, it’s a good bet.

Murphy did not name others considered for the position, but he did say all were qualified.

Helmy, who was born in Jersey City and who grew up in Glen Ridge, worked for both Senators Frank Lautenberg and Cory Booker. He has been serving as Murphy’s chief of staff.

That, said Murphy, shows that Helmy knows a lot about government in general and the Senate in particular.

Helmy, 44, is the son of Egyptian immigrants and both his parents were in attendance.

There is always irony in politics and this time, it hit you right in the face.

It was Menendez’ entanglement with the Egyptian government that formed the basis of the charges against him.

Helmy said he wants to oversee a “functioning” Senate office and talked about a commitment to constituent service. That figures to be important considering that actual Senate business in the fall of a presidential election does not figure to be overbearing.

But beyond that, Helmy articulated a larger goal:

“If nothing else, if my short time in office can begin to restore a small measure of faith and belief in the honor of public service, then I shall have done my job correctly.”