The Hudson County Democratic Organization isn’t wasting much time in backing Tammy Murphy in the U.S. Senate race, formally endorsing her just hours after she made her candidacy official.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“From her strong record of advocating for progressive policy initiatives like protecting women and children’s health, to her incredible success raising millions of dollars for families in desperate need during the pandemic, to her business background and her long political record as a renowned Democratic fundraiser, it’s clear that Tammy Murphy is a uniquely qualified candidate for the U.S. Senate,” HCDO Chair Anthony Vainieri said in a statement.
“The Hudson County Democratic Organization is honored to give Tammy Murphy our full, unequivocal support. We look forward to working closely with Tammy and her team to reintroduce her to Hudson County voters and help her become the first woman to represent New Jersey in the U.S. Senate.”
Vainieri said a week after the first indictment of Menendez that he must decide whether or not he is capable of serving the residents of New Jersey, choosing to remain neutral in a statement that was widely panned for not taking a definitive position.
The endorsement includes 11 mayors, the Hudson County state delegation, and County Executive-elect Craig Guy, with the only exception being Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, a likely candidate for Congress in the 8th District against U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez, the son of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez.
He may attempt to bracket with U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D-3), who announced his bid for Senate just one day after Bob Menendez was indicted and he formally kicked off his campaign on Friday.
Murphy, the wife of Gov. Phil Murphy (D), has been floating the possibility of running for Senate for weeks and finally formally declared her candidacy early this morning as most New Jersey politicos are rubbing elbows over drinks at the League of Municipalities.
“I’m running for the United States Senate because New Jersey’s kids and families deserve better – plain and simple,” she said in a statement.
“My parents taught me to never back down from a challenge or shy away from injustice, and that’s how we’ve dramatically reduced the rate at which mothers and babies are dying around childbirth in our state, and incorporated climate change education into our school curriculum.”
Bob Menendez and his wife are facing charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and conspiracy to commit extortion under color and official right for accepting alleged bribes that include cash, gold bars, and a car.
They are accused of having a “corrupt relationship” with New Jersey businessmen Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, and Fred Daibes. Those three are charged with the first two counts.
Subsequently, a superseding indictment has charged New Jersey’s senior senator with acting as a foreign agent to Egypt. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has said repeatedly that he has no plans to resign.
While he hasn’t formally announced plans to seek re-election yet, Bob Menendez took aim at Tammy Murphy this morning shortly after she declared herself as candidate for Senate.
“Mrs. Murphy will need to explain why she and the Governor believe that if taxes are your issue, New Jersey is not your state. Doesn’t every family and small business owner deserve tax relief and the ability to afford the state they call home?” he quipped in a statement.
“She will need to finally address why so many veterans died in state-run nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic and why the state hasn’t fully implemented a tutoring program to address learning losses with federal funding I brought back to New Jersey. Both were themes for Republican Jack Ciattarelli when he challenged Phil Murphy for governor in 2021 and came within three percentage points of winning.”
He was also critical of Tammy Murphy being a Republican about two decades ago.
The primary for Senate is on June 4th, 2024, where the candidates for president and Congress will also be on the ballot.
This is reprehensible.
What a joke. NJ deserves better than nepo politics.
The last thing NJ needs is the terrible governor’s wife taking over. We’ve seen massive executive orders abusing so many NJ residents, they will never recover. Never. Of course HudCo is down for more of this cronyism. Shoot HudCo lives for this cronyism.
Yes, she will get “the line” and, yes, she will receive money from the unions and contractors still seeking a favor from the Governor during his last two years in office. That said, WE still get to vote and need to make the most of that right. Turnout last week was abysmal and that needs to change or we will keep getting people like Ms. Murphy shoved down our throats.
elsewhere i read this from menendez
“I know where all the skeletons in closets are, I know who all the players are in and out of government,”
see https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/hudson-county-democrats-endorse-tammy-murphy/
sounds like he’s got much more to say
Forget Tammy, or Andy or Mikie Sherrill
We want the one, PROGRESSIVE, FORWARD THINKING, BRILLIANT, SELF MOTIVATED, WORLD TRAVELLING, VISIONARY from Hoboken, one man who has proven dedication and always here for us! That Man is MIKE DeFUSCO!
New Jersey would be lucky if he bestows this blessing on us all!