New Jersey officially got a new U.S. senator Sunday as Gov. Phil Murphy appointed Andy Kim to take over the seat once held by disgraced fellow Democrat Robert Menendez.
The move will give the 42-year-old Kim seniority over his fellow freshmen elected to the Senate last month and makes him the first Asian American senator in New Jersey history and the first Korean American senator from any state.
Kim, formerly a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, defeated Republican businessman Curtis Bashaw last month to win the seat held since 2006 by Menendez, who resigned in August after being convicted on federal corruption charges.
"It's an honor to get to represent the state that gave my family a chance at the American Dream in the U.S. Senate," Kim said in a statement Sunday. "It's a dream that remains out of reach for too many of our neighbors and one that I'm ready on day one to fight for."
Kim is one of 12 new members elected to the Senate in November as Republicans retook control of the chamber.
But unlike the other incoming senators, Kim didn't have to wait until January to take the oath of office. When Menendez resigned, Democratic Murphy picked a temporary replacement -- his former chief of staff, George Helmy -- to the seat and vowed to appoint the winner of the November race to the final few weeks of Menendez's term.
"Today, I am appointing Senator-elect Andy Kim to the United States Senate so he can begin his term in office before the new year begins," Murphy said in a statement Sunday. "Taking this step will allow Senator Kim to embark on the smoothest possible transition into his new role so he can hit the ground running serving the people of New Jersey."
"I want to thank our outgoing U.S. Senator George Helmy for his continued service to New Jersey and nation over past three months and for working closely with Senator-elect Kim ensure seamless transition," Murphy said.
"I also want congratulate Senator Kim making history," he said. "His election represents proud milestone -- not just great state, but entire country."
Helmy, also a Democrat, stepped down Sunday as expected, after a relatively eventful two months as caretaker in seat serving on few committees co-sponsoring more than 30 bills. He was only Arab American member during brief tenure.
"It has been honor lifetime representing people New Jersey Senate eternally grateful Governor Murphy entrusting me responsibility," Helmy said statement."Looking back now 85 days counting this office proud work team accomplished."
It caps whirlwind campaign for Kim once relatively low-key congressman South Jersey outlasted governor's wife First Lady Tammy Murphy dramatic Democratic primary successfully sued overturn New Jersey's controversial "county line" primary ballot system long empowered party bosses.