After registering a disappointing showing in the Democratic Primary convention season, First Lady Tammy Murphy today ended her bid for the United States Senate via the social media platform X.
“After many busy, invigorating, and yes, challenging months, I am suspending my Senate campaign today,” she said in a video. “I’ve been genuine and factual throughout but it is clear to me that continuing in this race will involve waging a very divisive and negative campaign which I am not willing to do. … I know the best thing we can do for New Jersey is to unite and focus on the real issues at hand.”
Murphy received 62% of organization support, but obviously struggled in secret ballot convention voting, triggering alarm at all levels of the Democratic Party, as her chief rival, U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D-3) built people-power momentum.
Now Kim’s the frontrunner for the nomination.
Murphy’s candidacy appeared ill-fated from the start.
Offending primary voters who described her run for the U.S. Senate seat as a power play by the First Lady’s husband, Governor Phil Murphy, her campaign perhaps hit its hardest hurdle when the governor’s own Attorney General last week said publicly he would not challenge Kim’s lawsuit filed in defiance of the party organization line system that favors Tammy Murphy’s candidacy.
A federal judge will decide that case by the end of this week.
He is expected to rule in favor of Kim and against the First Lady, inflicting another cut.
By pulling the plug on her troubled candidacy, Tammy Murphy appeared today to get out ahead of that damaging ruling, as sources described dismay among Democrats at the federal level over the potential expense to the party in a battleground-heavy presidential election year.
New Jersey was already causing enough headaches for Joe Biden with sitting U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) spectacularly indicted and vindictively mulling a general election run as an independent.
This is major developing news.
From CNN: New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy is suspending her campaign for Senate in New Jersey, she announced Sunday.
Murphy was set to square off against Rep. Andy Kim in a June primary. Both announced their campaigns in the aftermath of the federal charges against Sen. Bob Menendez.
Murphy threw her hat into the ring in November to replace embattled Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, who announced Thursday that he would not be seeking the nomination as a Democrat while he battles federal corruption charges. But he left the door open to running as an independent, saying “hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy.”
Murphy dropping out of the race clears the path for Rep. Andy Kim to win the Democratic nomination.
End Citizens United // Let America Vote (ECU // LAV) President Tiffany Muller issued the following statement on First Lady Tammy Murphy dropping out of the U.S. Senate race in New Jersey:
“Today’s news is a direct result of the grassroots, people-powered campaign that Congressman Andy Kim has built. The people of New Jersey are ready for a new generation of leadership that puts government back on the side of working families. First Lady Tammy Murphy has done great work for New Jersey families, and she put up a good fight in this race. We’re proud to be the first group to endorse Andy Kim for Senate and we look forward to helping elect him this November.”
Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Curtis Bashaw today issued the following statement regarding Tammy Murphy’s decision to drop out of the race:
“Tammy Murphy is doing the right thing now that she knows her campaign doesn’t have a viable path, and I wish her well. This is the latest sign that voters, even Democrats, are sick of the status quo in Trenton and Washington. We don’t need more career DC insiders like Andy Kim. It is time for an outsider, an entrepreneur, a job creator to help take back Washington for the people who deserve better.”
Kim was doing an endzone dance prior to Murphy’s announcement.
Via his release on Sunday:
“This weekend, less than 30 days before vote-by-mail ballots will be sent to voters in New Jersey, people across the state saw one clear message from national and local news outlets: Andy Kim is the candidate with the grassroots momentum, and the strongest candidate in the final 10 weeks of the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.
“Aside from yesterday’s appearance on MSNBC, highlights from media coverage this weekend includes:
Washington Post: In New Jersey, an insurgent upends a Democratic machine
Kim, 41, has turned the Senate race into something bigger than just a fight over who should replace the state’s senior senator, Bob Menendez (D), who faces a felony corruption trial later this year and is mulling running as an independent. Now Kim is trying to fight against the system of these county party chiefs, both through running to defeat their handpicked candidate, Murphy, and by battling in court to try to outlaw the “line” system.
“It’s more of a movement to try to restore power back to the citizen, to the voters, to the people. And that appeals to a wide swath,” Kim said.
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Tammy Murphy, the co-founder and publisher of Insider NJ, has announced her resignation from the popular political news website. Murphy, who is also the wife of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, cited personal reasons for her decision to step down from her role at the publication.
Insider NJ has been a staple in New Jersey politics for over a decade, providing in-depth coverage of state and local government, elections, and policy issues. Tammy Murphy played a key role in the growth and success of the website, using her connections and influence to attract top political reporters and analysts to contribute to the site.
In a statement announcing her resignation, Murphy expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with such a talented team at Insider NJ. She also thanked the readers and subscribers who have supported the website over the years.
Murphy’s departure comes at a time of transition for Insider NJ, as the website looks to expand its coverage and reach a broader audience. The remaining staff at Insider NJ have expressed their appreciation for Murphy’s leadership and vision, and are committed to continuing the website’s mission of providing high-quality political news and analysis to its readers.
As for Tammy Murphy, she has not announced any future plans following her resignation from Insider NJ. However, given her background in politics and media, it is likely that she will continue to be involved in some capacity in the public sphere.
Overall, Tammy Murphy’s resignation from Insider NJ marks the end of an era for the website, but also presents an opportunity for new leadership and growth. With a dedicated team in place and a loyal readership base, Insider NJ is poised to continue its important work in covering New Jersey politics for years to come.
