Andy Kim of New Jersey Appointed Early to the Senate
He will assume the position vacated by the exit of convicted Senator Bob Menendez.
TroibNews 
Andy Kim, a three-term congressman who transformed New Jersey’s political scene in his pursuit of higher office, was appointed to the U.S. Senate on Sunday.
At 42 years old, Kim steps into his new role following the resignation of interim Sen. George Helmy. Helmy had previously announced that he would leave office once the 2024 election results were certified. Kim will fill the seat left vacant by Bob Menendez, who resigned this summer after a federal conviction.
“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,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy in a statement. “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.”
Last month, Kim achieved victory over Republican Curtis Bashaw by a margin just shy of 10 points. While this was a relatively close win for a New Jersey Democrat, it still surpassed Kamala Harris’ narrow six-point margin against President-elect Donald Trump.
“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 expressed in a statement. “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. I want to thank Governor Murphy and Senator Helmy for ensuring that New Jersey was well represented during this transition and look forward to getting to work for the people.”
Residing in Moorestown with his wife and two young children, Kim ran a campaign that emphasized ethical governance, especially in light of the indictment of longtime senator Menendez, who resigned in August after being convicted on 16 corruption counts in July.
Although New Jersey’s Democratic power brokers did not initially back Kim as a replacement for Menendez—whom they had supported during a previous corruption trial—they found his continued candidacy politically untenable following Menendez’s shocking September 2023 indictment for trading political favors for gold bars and for acting as an unregistered foreign agent.
Kim, known for his gentle demeanor and a well-known photograph of himself cleaning the Capitol after the Jan. 6 riot, did not seek the backing of power brokers when he announced his Senate candidacy just a day after Menendez was indicted. In contrast, first lady Tammy Murphy sought traditional support from party power brokers to secure her position on the ballot, a strategy that ultimately backfired.
Kim contested the ballot's structure, claiming it was unconstitutional. A U.S. District Court judge sided with him, ruling against the party line for the 2024 Democratic primary, a decision likely impacting future primary elections as well. As a result, Tammy Murphy, who had faced backlash from the left for her approach, exited the race just before the ruling.
Running on a platform of expanded abortion rights in response to the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, healthcare expansion, and ethics reforms such as a ban on congressional stock trading, Kim’s most significant legacy may lie in altering New Jersey’s ballot structure. Primary ballots will now be organized by the office sought rather than by party endorsement.
This change, while seemingly technical, could reduce the power of New Jersey county chairs, who have historically played a crucial role in shaping or even determining which candidates emerge as primary leaders.
Now, Kim holds one of just four statewide elected offices in New Jersey, and his relationship with Governor Murphy and some of the state's Democratic leaders remains strained as Murphy prepares to leave office in January 2026.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
At 42 years old, Kim steps into his new role following the resignation of interim Sen. George Helmy. Helmy had previously announced that he would leave office once the 2024 election results were certified. Kim will fill the seat left vacant by Bob Menendez, who resigned this summer after a federal conviction.
“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,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy in a statement. “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.”
Last month, Kim achieved victory over Republican Curtis Bashaw by a margin just shy of 10 points. While this was a relatively close win for a New Jersey Democrat, it still surpassed Kamala Harris’ narrow six-point margin against President-elect Donald Trump.
“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 expressed in a statement. “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. I want to thank Governor Murphy and Senator Helmy for ensuring that New Jersey was well represented during this transition and look forward to getting to work for the people.”
Residing in Moorestown with his wife and two young children, Kim ran a campaign that emphasized ethical governance, especially in light of the indictment of longtime senator Menendez, who resigned in August after being convicted on 16 corruption counts in July.
Although New Jersey’s Democratic power brokers did not initially back Kim as a replacement for Menendez—whom they had supported during a previous corruption trial—they found his continued candidacy politically untenable following Menendez’s shocking September 2023 indictment for trading political favors for gold bars and for acting as an unregistered foreign agent.
Kim, known for his gentle demeanor and a well-known photograph of himself cleaning the Capitol after the Jan. 6 riot, did not seek the backing of power brokers when he announced his Senate candidacy just a day after Menendez was indicted. In contrast, first lady Tammy Murphy sought traditional support from party power brokers to secure her position on the ballot, a strategy that ultimately backfired.
Kim contested the ballot's structure, claiming it was unconstitutional. A U.S. District Court judge sided with him, ruling against the party line for the 2024 Democratic primary, a decision likely impacting future primary elections as well. As a result, Tammy Murphy, who had faced backlash from the left for her approach, exited the race just before the ruling.
Running on a platform of expanded abortion rights in response to the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, healthcare expansion, and ethics reforms such as a ban on congressional stock trading, Kim’s most significant legacy may lie in altering New Jersey’s ballot structure. Primary ballots will now be organized by the office sought rather than by party endorsement.
This change, while seemingly technical, could reduce the power of New Jersey county chairs, who have historically played a crucial role in shaping or even determining which candidates emerge as primary leaders.
Now, Kim holds one of just four statewide elected offices in New Jersey, and his relationship with Governor Murphy and some of the state's Democratic leaders remains strained as Murphy prepares to leave office in January 2026.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
