Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, a Democratic candidate for governor, is rescinding his support for First Lady Tammy Murphy in the U.S. Senate race in favor of U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D-3), contrary to the Hudson County Democratic Organization.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I was an early supporter of Tammy Murphy for Senate but it’s no secret I’ve been disappointed with the campaign and how it has been conducted. I’ve expressed that over the last two months repeatedly both privately and publicly, and at this point, it’s clear to me that I was wrong with my early support and endorsement of Tammy Murphy for Senate,” Fulop said in a statement.
“After watching the county conventions, I believe that Andy Kim has proven that he’s the better candidate, with a clearer message, and he brings a better chance of success in November. It’s never easy to admit when mistakes are made, but I should have waited longer before endorsing. Clearly, this campaign has become a catalyst for the backbone of the Democratic Party to be saying loud and clear that things need to change in New Jersey. I agree with them.”
He also called on Murphy to drop out of the race and pledged to push for Kim as the next U.S. senator for New Jersey.
“I told @AndyKimNJ it’s not always comfortable to admit a mistake but clearly I made one here and this convention season has demonstrated he is the better candidate to represent NJ. The backbone of our party volunteers and activists have spoken loudly and we should listen to them,” Fulop added on social media this morning.
As the mayor mentioned, his distaste with Murphy’s campaign has been evident for the past two months, beginning with a February 7th appearance on HCV Live & Uncut, where he said this race is a test of the county lines and questioned Murphy’s approach.
“The question is ‘are you a candidate because of your husband or are you are a good candidate that happens to be married to your husband?’ and those are two very different situations and I think she can make that point a little bit more clearly,” he said at the time.
On the show, he also committed to hosting a candidate forum for Senate candidates, though it would now be a bit surprising to see Murphy do so. She currently has a meet and greet scheduled with Hudson County Executive Craig Guy next week.
The straw that broke the camel’s back for Fulop was apparently when Democratic Senate candidate Dr. Patricia Campos-Medina was not allowed to enter the Democratic convention in Camden County on Saturday.
“There is really no way to defend this even in the world of NJ politics and I’m disappointed that @TammyMurphyNJ hasn’t commented publicly/taken any action distancing herself from this – there is no rational way to defend it nor benefit from it,” he wrote, prompting many commenters to ask for him to pull his endorsement of Murphy.
Last week, the HCDO doubled down on their endorsement of Murphy, something that they had initially announced hours after she declared her candidacy in November.
Expectedly, Kim was glad to embrace Fulop’s backing.
“I appreciate @StevenFulop ’s support and his recognition of the incredible energy we have from the people. That’s what this should be about. Let’s leave the politics out and let people vote their conscience. Let the people decide who is best prepared and ready to represent NJ,” he wrote.
Editor’s note: This story was updated with a comment from U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D-3).
so who we supposed to vote for Governor now?
So steve is picking the B$$$$halla Machine instead instead of thinking for himself. People are realizing that balla would not be backing Kim if the h do had endorsed balla, amirite?
Fulop is a World Economic Forum young global leader, that New Jersey doesn’t need ruling us.