It was two weeks ago today that Senator Bob Menendez was found guilty on all counts in his federal corruption trial.

In the wake of that conviction.

West New York School district officials announced they will remove his name from an elementary school before students return in September.

Until then, all eyes are on Governor Murphy, who needs to name someone to fill his seat and the remainder of his term by August 20th.

There are a handful of candidates on the list, including Congressman Andy Kim, the House Democrat, running for his seat.

So what could Kim's advantages be if named for that and more?

I'm joined by Washington correspondent Ben Hulac Ben, thanks for joining me.

Leisure know Governor Murphy has said he will promptly fill the seat.

What are some names you're hearing.

That are really?

It could be Andy Kim, the House Democrat, running for the seat.

Of course, Kim ran against Murphy's wife in the Democratic primary to win that Senate seat.

Funny wasn't Coleman has been floated.

But really, all eyes are on Murphy and he'll make a decision.

I mean, it's all right.

As you said, Andy Kim is the frontrunner in this race.

Why not Andy Kim?

I wouldn't speculate about why not and dare to get into the governor's head.

The argument in favor of Kim is that if you appoint him now as the governor, New Jersey will accrue more seniority in the Senate.

And the Senate is very old.

It's steeped in tradition and it runs on seniority.

Seniority is how you get to the top of powerful committees like Appropriations, Armed Services Finance.

Cory Booker has been in the Senate by way of explanation for about a decade.

He is still a relatively junior member on all of his committees.

So if you appoint Kim now, you give him a slight edge and in turn the state a slight edge over all of the incoming senators who win election in November.

So we heard about some of the advantages you just pointed out.

If Andy Kim was chosen, one, can we expect a decision from the governor?

What are you hearing?

Really?

Your guess is as good as mine, Raven.

The governor has pretty flatly said he'll make a decision when he makes a decision.

And theoretically, if the Democrats don't want to step on their momentum going into the nomination, the the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, maybe that decision comes sooner rather than later.

Menendez is out of a seat August 20, so it would have to happen before then.

In the meantime, is Bob Menendez still working?

Will he?

Can he still vote on bills?

Do you expect him to do a farewell on the Senate floor?

That is a dynamite question.

I have been fascinated by this here.

I've been looking at the roll call votes.

He has not voted since he was found guilty.

There was a vote today.

There are a handful of votes today in the Senate.

He has not voted on any of those and he can vote.

He doesn't lose his power to vote or to show up and use his his office as it was meant to be used.

There's nothing in the conviction and a guilty plea, rather, that limits his potential.

But he's not here, as far as I can tell.

Ben, thanks for joining me.

My pleasure.