New Jersey U.S. Senate candidate Tammy Murphy teed off on senior Senator Bob Menendez in an email blast this afternoon which could provide a glimpse of what a primary showdown would look like.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“You’ve probably heard, but in case you haven’t: Tammy’s opponent, Bob Menendez, is facing federal charges for bribery, conspiracy, and corruption,” the email says.
“He’s credibly accused of using his power to enrich himself, accepting gifts and cash from foreign actors, and ‘conspiring to act as a foreign agent.’ But even after all of that, Menendez feels entitled to this seat!”
Despite the incumbent’s significant legal woes, he has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has remained steadfast that he is not resigning.
While he hasn’t announced a re-election bid, or not, ahead of the June 4th, 2024 primary, he has hinted at doing so several times, which Murphy, the wife of Gov. Phil Murphy (D), also referenced in her fundraising appeal.
Included is a screenshot of Menendez telling journalists on Wednesday that he is confident he could be re-elected to another six-year term, as Politico reported.
“Of course I can [win re-election]: It’s all one moment in time of, including your contributions to it, of negative stories. When we start telling our story in January, at the trial, through motions, and other things, we will change that dynamic,” he asserted.
Tammy Murphy goes on to accuse Menendez of “smearing” her record and being desperate to hold onto political power.
“On top of defending himself, Bob Menendez is spending big money on a malicious campaign aimed at smearing Tammy’s record. He’s desperate to cling to his power, and very likely, he’s more focused on staying out of prison than on delivering wins for New Jerseyans. He simply has to go,” she wrote before asking for a contribution.
She is likely referencing what Menendez said after she got the endorsement of the Hudson County Democratic Organization, a group Menendez once chaired, hours after she announced her candidacy last month.
“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 said at the time.
“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.”
Further complicating the matter in Hudson County is that Tammy Murphy is backed by 11 mayors except for Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, who this week announced he’d be challenging U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8), the senator’s son.
The HCDO has endorsed the younger Menendez, with Bhalla and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, a declared candidate for govenor, being the only notable exceptions thus far, meaning the congressman and Tammy Murphy will share the party line.
For the moment, U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D-3) is the only other declared candidate for Senate and could end up bracketing with Bhalla.
Senator Menendez’s office could not be reached for comment on Friday.
an incumbent that if any other politican,right or left was accused of what he is accused of,he would be first in line calling for there resignation,hypocrite. Also a declared challenger who in so many ways has no business being a candidate. the arrogance of it all is ridicoulous