TRENTON, NJ – With the party line on the line in the state of New Jersey, the wife of Governor Phil Murphy, Tammy has dropped out of the race for U.S. Senate as her opponent, Andy Kim took aim at the governor’s coveted ‘party line’.
New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy announced her withdrawal from the U.S. Senate race to succeed Senator Robert Menendez amid his federal corruption charges.
Murphy, in a video message, expressed her reluctance to engage in a divisive campaign against fellow Democrats. She emphasized the high stakes involved with the upcoming election and Donald Trump’s presence on the ballot. She highlighted her desire to avoid wasting resources in a potentially negative primary battle.
Murphy’s exit is a boon for U.S. Representative Andy Kim’s candidacy, enhancing his position in the Democratic primary set for June 4. Kim, noted for his strong challenge against established political figures in New Jersey, has campaigned to reform the state’s unique ballot design that benefits county party-endorsed candidates. Despite Menendez’s decision not to compete in the Democratic primary, he has left the possibility of running for reelection as an independent.
Indivisible, a prominent national progressive grassroots organization, lauded Murphy’s decision. Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin, co-executive directors of Indivisible, praised the grassroots support for Andy Kim, highlighting the impact of grassroots activism in New Jersey politics. They commended Kim’s campaign for its focus on democracy and its potential to bring about significant changes in the Senate, particularly his stance on ending the filibuster and championing democratic values.
Indivisible, one of the nation’s leading national progressive grassroots organizations, released the following statement on Tammy Murphy’s decision to drop out of the New Jersey Senate Race:
“Many, many people took risks to stand up to the machine and make this moment possible. It’s no small thing to stand up to the machine in New Jersey,” said Leah Greenberg, co-executive director of Indivisible. “Congratulations to Andy Kim, and to the grassroots army including the incredible Indivisibles of New Jersey. Indivisibles and other grassroots activists made the math undeniable for Tammy Murphy—Andy Kim had the numbers, the momentum, and the supporter strength to overcome party bosses and dark money donors. Indivisible is proud to be part of that momentum that brought us here.”
This move marks a pivotal moment in New Jersey’s political landscape, with implications for the broader Democratic strategy and unity ahead of critical elections. Now, it is unclear where the battle for the party line goes from here as Kim spearheaded the mission.