New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy drops Senate bid

New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy announced Sunday that she will withdraw from the Democratic Senate primary, potentially paving the way for Democratic Rep. Andy Kim to win the nomination.

“After a busy, dynamic and certainly challenging few months, I am suspending my Senate campaign today,” Murphy said in a video posted on social media.

“I was sincere and matter-of-fact from beginning to end,” she continued. “But I’m clear that continuing to run in this race would involve running a very divisive and negative campaign, and I’m not willing to do that.”

read more

“I made this decision because this campaign was never about me. Now, I know the best thing we can do for New Jersey is come together and focus on the real issues at hand,” she added.

Murphy does not support King during the three-minute film.

In a statement obtained by NBC News following Murphy’s announcement, King called Murphy “a voice for progress and public service in our state.”

“Tammy and I both agree that it’s critical that Democrats control this seat and the Senate,” King added. “Unity is critical. We will continue to work to strengthen New Jersey’s democracy as we unite against the dangerous agenda Trump is pushing.”

Murphy’s decision comes after she and her advisers concluded she had a limited or even impossible path to victory in the June 4 Democratic primary, a source close to Murphy’s campaign told NBC News. made this decision. Her announcement came just before the state’s primary election deadline.

But Murphy insisted Sunday in conversations with campaign staff, party leaders and supporters that her campaign still has a path forward, but that it will involve spending significant money to fight the Democratic colleagues.

Murphy said such a divisive primary could hurt the party this year and further undermine New Jersey’s open race for governor next year, the sources added. Her husband cannot seek re-election due to term limits.

The first lady’s campaign has drawn some criticism, with many frustrated by her husband, Gov. Phil Murphy’s push for his wife’s candidacy. Combined with King’s decisive defeat of Murphy at several county conventions this month, it proved to be a fatal blow to her candidacy.

Jersey Mayor Steve Fulop said in a statement this week that he made a mistake when he supported Murphy months ago.

“As you all know, I am disappointed with this event and the way it was conducted,” Fulop said. “It’s clear to me that my early support and endorsement of Tammy Murphy for Senate was misplaced.”

Murphy and King both launched Senate campaigns in the fall, seeking to replace Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, who and his wife face federal charges for allegedly obstructing justice and accepting bribes.

The first indictment was released in September, and additional charges have since been filed, bringing the total to 18 people. Both men deny any wrongdoing.

respected

Menendez has not officially announced whether he will run for re-election, but he joked, “I hope this summer my acquittal will allow me to continue running as an independent Democrat.” general election”.

The election was consumed by New Jersey’s unique ballot design, known as “county lines,” in which candidates with county party support are favored on the ballot. Critics say it gives some county party chairs significant power over primaries, especially in counties where endorsements are decided solely by the chair.

King won county lines in several counties where support was decided in the General Assembly counties, but Murphy won the support of some powerful county party chairs. That would give Murphy a priority ballot spot in some of the counties with the highest number of registered Democrats.

King subsequently filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to eliminate county lines and testified as a witness last week.

“The whole point of democracy is to give the people choices and to be able to make decisions by the people,” Kim said on the witness stand Monday. “But if you limit that, or if there are some factors… I find it detrimental to pursuing what I believe in. A fair and equal democracy.”

Murphy, meanwhile, was frustrated that the process dominated the game.

“We’re all playing by the same rules. So if the rules get better, if they can reform and make things better, then I’m all for it,” Murphy said on Sunday.

“But my point is — that’s where it is,” Murphy added. “I’m trying to help with affordability. I’m trying to help with reproductive freedom. I’m trying to help with gun safety and climate change. I think that’s what people are really thinking about every day. So I’m tired of hearing about this process.”

King did not directly mention his lawsuit in Sunday’s statement, but King’s senior adviser Anthony DeAngelo said in a statement to NBC News that King “strongly believes New Jersey should do more to support equitable office collectives” voting system”.

DeAngelo later added: “The status of our ban remains in the hands of judges, and we remain prepared to vigorously advocate for the changes that members of Congress and many others are calling for.”

Whoever wins the Democratic nomination is likely to be elected to the Senate in November, with Amy Walter’s nonpartisan Cook Political Report rating the race “likely Democratic.”