Gov. Phil Murphy is wading further into the war among Hudson County Democrats, endorsing a pair of county party-backed Assembly candidates in one of the state’s premier legislative primaries. 

Murphy endorsed Assemblyman William Sampson (D-Bayonne) and Hudson County Commissioner Jerry Walker in the 31st legislative district primary on Monday morning.

“William has been a strong voice for the people of Bayonne, Kearny, and Jersey City — providing tax relief for homeowners and renters, funding our public schools, reducing crime, and supporting small businesses,” Murphy said in a release. “And, throughout it all, he has never forgotten his roots as a son of Bayonne. We need fighters like William in office to keep building a stronger and fairer New Jersey for every family.”

Sampson’s assemblymate, Barbara McCann Stamato (D-Jersey City), is also seeking re-election, but on a slate with Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and Assembly candidate/Bayonne Councilwoman Jackie Weimmer.

Jersey City just barely makes up a majority of the district’s votes, with Bayonne and Kearny making up the rest of the district.

“I’m excited to endorse my friend and Hudson County Commissioner Jerry Walker for election to the New Jersey Assembly,” Murphy said in the release. “From his time at St. Anthony High School to his leadership of the non-profit organization Team Walker, Jerry has a long track record of serving his community, including establishing a brand new vocational school in Jersey City.”

Murphy has backed the Hudson County Democratic Organization thus far. Last week, the governor endorsed Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis for sheriff over five-term incumbent Frank S. Schillari, who is aligned with Fulop’s slate. 

The governor has also endorsed Assemblyman Gabe Rodriguez (D-West New York) and Larry Wainstein, who are backed by Union City Mayor/state Sen. Brian Stack.  

According to CFD Local 788, Camden firefighters are actively operating at the scene of a 2-alarm fire involving a building with extension to nearby structures. Battalion Chief 2 reported fire spreading to exposures as of early Sunday afternoon.

Cherry Hill Fire Department confirmed that Ladder 1324 is currently assisting in the firefighting efforts at the scene.

This is a breaking news.

The Bayonne, New Jersey, community is devastated over the loss of one their own – Hudson County sheriff’s officer Justin Rivera, who fell nine stories to his death Friday morning.

The 29-year-old was on duty when he fell from a window at the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City. Officials said the building was closed to the public due to an unrelated power outage at the time, and the fatal fall appears to be accidental in nature.

Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari, in a statement, described Rivera’s death as “one of the saddest and most horrific days that the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office has ever experienced,” calling Rivera an “excellent officer and outstanding young man.”

The Hudson County prosecutor’s office has no new details on the investigation surrounding his death at this time.  

“It doesn’t even feel real”

Rivera ran Bayonne Boxing along with his father. A sign on the door says the gym is closed due to a family emergency.

A memorial was growing outside the front door of the beloved business Saturday as passersby offered prayers and dropped off flowers in Rivera’s memory.

“It’s unbelievable, honestly, like how this could just happen out of nowhere. So it was like, it was honestly like it doesn’t even feel real,” said Jayden Morales, who has been training at the gym for the past year.

Morales said Rivera and his father were both great coaches.

“You could tell they loved each other,” Morales said. “He was funny, too, always cracking jokes.”

A neighbor, who wanted to remain anonymous, lived near Rivera’s childhood home, where he lived with his daughter. The neighbor describes the Riveras as a beautiful, hardworking family she’s come to know for the past 20-plus years.

“He would meet my daughter at the gym and say, ‘I love your mom. I’m here for her if she ever needs anything.’ And I knew that … ’cause that’s the kind of kid he was,” the neighbor said. “They kissed goodbye in the morning, and he got in his car and he went to work and that was it. We never know.”

“He loved to box, police officer, being a family man. That was him as a person,” Morales said.

“We’ll miss that wave, that smile. We’ll miss it,” the neighbor said.

Rivera’s father told CBS News New York his son is now with God and that there’s nothing he can say that will bring him back.