The wife of Gov. Phil Murphy, Tammy Murphy (D-N.J.), stopped her campaign for Senate on Sunday.
The announcement suddenly ends a much-anticipated Senate campaign that began with high hopes, leaving Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) as the sole leading candidate in the race to succeed Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.).
“After many active, energizing and yes, challenging months, I am suspending my Senate campaign today,” Murphy stated in a video. “I’ve been sincere and accurate throughout. But it is clear to me that continuing in this race will involve waging a very divisive and negative campaign, which I am not willing to do.”
Murphy faced difficulties in addressing concerns about her qualifications and connections to the governor’s office, despite receiving strong endorsements from most of the state’s congressional delegation and support from influential county party leaders.
The New Jersey Globe stated that Murphy made the decision Saturday, citing a narrow path to victory that would require significant campaign self-funding.
Kim has picked up speed over the last few months, surprising Murphy in small county votes. The race was considered uncertain by state politicos as recently as last week, pointing to Kim’s voter enthusiasm and Murphy’s endorsement advantage.
Murphy’s departure now puts her county endorsement at risk. Each county party that endorsed Murphy will determine whether to give its prized endorsement to Kim.
Kim is taking legal action against the state over the endorsement ballot lines, arguing that the unique practice is undemocratic and allows party leadership to unfairly support certain candidates over others. The state announced last week it will not contest the lawsuit.
Murphy had obtained endorsement lines in some of the state’s most populous counties, giving her an advantage over Kim for the primary, though if Kim’s lawsuit is successful, the advantage would vanish.
Murphy did not mention or support Kim in her announcement, but she did urge party unity.
“With Donald Trump on the ballot and so much at stake for our nation, I will not in good conscience waste resources tearing down a fellow Democrat instead of talking about process and politics,” she said. “New Jersey’s next senator must focus on the issues of our time and not be mired in tearing others down while dividing the people of our party and state.”
She said her focus will now shift to supporting the Biden campaign.
“And as we face grave, dangerous threats on the national level thanks to Donald Trump and far-right extremists, it’s time to unify, not divide,” Murphy said. “I will now focus entirely on reelecting President Biden, and ensuring Democratic victories up and down the ballot all across New Jersey.”
Menendez is not participating in the primary as he contends with criminal corruption charges, but he floated last week that he could run in the general election as an independent candidate.
