Sen.-elect Andy Kim was appointed to the United States Senate on Sunday by Gov. Phil Murphy ahead of his elected term, which starts Jan. 3, 2025.
The appointment follows his certification Thursday by the State Board of Canvassers as the winner of the Senate race to fill the seat once held by Bob Menendez. Kim will be sworn in to the U.S. Senate on Monday, Dec. 9.
“Today, I am appointing Sen.-elect Andy Kim to the United States Senate so he can begin his term in office before the new year begins,” Murphy said in an official 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,” Murphy said.
Story continues below photo gallery
Kim’s appointment follows the resignation of interim Sen. George Helmy, announced December 3. Helmy was sworn into Congress on Sept. 9, in the wake of the resignation of Menendez, after his conviction for bribery. Helmy’s resignation was also made effective Sunday.
“The voters of New Jersey made the right decision in November to elect Andy Kim to serve as their United States senator,” Helmy said on Dec. 3. “Having known him for nearly a decade now, I can attest to Senator Kim’s great dedication, character, and empathy towards the people of New Jersey.”
Kim, who served three terms in New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, will be the nation’s first Korean American senator.
“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,” Senator Kim said in an official 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,” he said. “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.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Sen. Andy Kim takes office 3 weeks early. Here’s why