The New Jersey Globe has reported that Governor Phil Murphy intends to appoint George S. Helmy, a former U.S. Senator and his former chief of staff, to the Rutgers University Board of Governors.
At a time when the public institution is looking for a new president to succeed Jonathan Holloway when his contract expires on June 30, Murphy decided to appoint Helmy, his closest political ally and advisor, to the Rutgers Board.
Before he leaves office early next year, the move might help Murphy put a stop to his dissatisfaction with the present Rutgers leadership.
Following unsuccessful talks with three unions, the professors went on strike for five days. It was Governor Phil Murphy, not Holloway, who was instrumental in bringing the parties to an agreement, and the Rutgers Senate unanimously approved a motion of no confidence in his leadership.
In addition to Patrick Hobbs’ departure as athletic director following an inappropriate connection with a subordinate, Rutgers is facing criticism for allegedly mistreating members of the gymnastics team.
Murphy was irritated last year when State Treasurer Elizabeth Muoio, his nominee to replace Peter J. McDonough, Jr. as senior vice president for foreign affairs, was turned down.
Gary Taffet, a former chief of staff to Governor James E. McGreevy and an ally of the governor, will be one of Helmy’s supporters on the board.
It is anticipated that the nomination would pass the State Senate swiftly. Senate President Nicholas Scutari has determined that all previous state and federal senators are exempt from the unwritten standards of senatorial etiquette because of Helmy’s tenure in the US Senate. Nevertheless, Helmy would probably be approved regardless because of his close ties to Morris County’s two Republican senators, Joseph Pennacchio (R-Montville) and Anthony Bucco (R-Boonton).
Helmy will continue to serve as a commissioner for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Murphy looked to Helmy to act as a temporary U.S. Senator after Bob Menendez vacated his seat after being found guilty of federal bribery and conspiracy charges. From September 9 until December 8, he was in office. He focused his limited tenure in office on a few major subjects, primarily the Gaza War and juvenile mental health, where he could work behind the scenes and have an influence.
Helmy was the only Arab American in the Senate during his term, and he made history when he was sworn in as the first Coptic Christian member.
Helmy, 45, was Murphy’s chief of staff for almost five years, making him the most influential non-elected person in New Jersey politics. In addition, he worked as an adviser to U.S. Senator Cory Booker’s predecessor, Frank R. Lautenberg, and as the deputy chief of staff and state director for Booker.
Helmy has been the executive vice president and chief external affairs and policy officer at RWJBarnabas Health, New Jersey’s largest integrated healthcare delivery system, which has over 1,000 physicians and nearly 40,000 employees spread across acute care centers, research hospitals, and academic centers, since departing state government last year. After serving in the U.S. Senate for three months, he went back there.
Edward R. McGlynn, who worked under Governor Thomas Kean, held the record for more than 33 years, but Helmy broke it in March 2023 to become the longest-serving chief of staff for a New Jersey governor in the state’s history.
