Andy Kim will take the oath of office on Monday around 5 p.m. to become the new senator from New Jersey and the first Korean-American senator in U.S. history.
Kim, a Democrat from South Jersey, was elected in November to the seat previously held by former Sen. Bob Menendez, who resigned after 18 years in office following a bribery conviction in July. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has appointed his former adviser, George Helmy, to fill the role until voters choose a representative. Helmy resigned last week to allow Kim to take office and be sworn in early.
This solution provides a unique entrance to the chamber. He will have served about two weeks at the end of this session, in which Democrats have a majority. He will then place his hand on the Bible again on January 3 to take the oath of office and join the upcoming Republican-controlled Congress.
On Monday, Kim reflected on the history-making moment awaiting him.
“I’ll be honest, I couldn’t sleep last night,” Kim said Monday from his office in Washington. “This is such a surreal moment for me and my family and I can’t wait to get to work.”
Taking the oath early has material benefits. Senators-elect cannot hire more than two transition staffers until they are sworn in as official members. Kim’s earlier pledge allows him to hire 30 people as of Monday and take over services and offices in Jersey City and South Jersey.
“I think we’ve certainly seen a crisis of confidence,” Kim said. “It is important that New Jerseyans feel that democracy has worked and that there is a sense of recovery.”
Kim will take the oath of office alongside his wife, Kammy Lai, and their two sons, Austin and August Lai. His parents, who emigrated from South Korea 50 years ago, will not be present at the swearing-in, but will attend Kim’s swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 3 along with dozens of colleagues.
“I didn’t want to make a big production, it’s not my style,” Kim said.
A few days ago, realizing he needed a Bible, Kim walked up to the National Cathedral and asked if they had one for sale. He chose a leather-bound edition that he hopes to apply again and again throughout his political career.
“I talked to Senator Booker and he said I should get one for this occasion,” Kim said. “Something I can pass on to my children, keep in my family: the Bible I took the oath of office for the first time.”
