TRENTON, NJ – As a powerful nor’easter barrels toward New Jersey, bringing heavy rains, strong winds, and potential coastal flooding, residents are left wondering: Where is Governor Phil Murphy?
The Democratic governor is currently out of state – and out of the country – on a European vacation with his wife, Tammy Murphy, even as a state of emergency has been declared across all 21 counties.
The state of emergency was issued by Acting Governor Tahesha Way on Saturday, October 11, at 10:00 p.m., in preparation for the storm’s arrival.
The nor’easter is expected to impact the region through Monday, with warnings for coastal flooding, high winds, and possible power outages.
All counties are affected, and emergency management officials have urged residents to prepare for hazardous conditions.
Murphy’s office announced his travel plans in an email to reporters on October 8, stating he departed on October 9 and is not scheduled to return until October 15.
This marks another instance where the governor has been abroad during a critical time for the state, drawing sharp criticism from opponents who accuse him of prioritizing personal trips over leadership duties.
“You seem to disappear a lot,” one critic remarked, echoing sentiments from previous controversies surrounding Murphy’s absences.
Despite the backlash, Murphy’s camp has remained silent on the matter, offering no public comments on his whereabouts or plans to address the storm remotely.
The governor’s absence has left Lieutenant Governor Way to step in as acting governor, overseeing the state’s response to the weather event.
While New Jersey’s emergency protocols allow for such delegations, the timing has fueled debates about accountability and presence during crises; however, the governor has less than three months remaining in office.
