Justin Murphy announces bid for U.S. Senate in N.J. GOP primary – New Jersey Globe

Former Tabernacle Mayor Justin Michael Murphy joined the race for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination on Friday, becoming the latest entrant into a race for the seat indicted Democrat Bob Menendez has held for over 18 years.

“I have a two-word answer as to why I am running for U.S. Senate: I care,” Murphy said.  “I care that we are a secure and prosperous nation.  I care about our country’s culture and how much of our paychecks are taken by the federal government.  I care about our country’s education system and if middle-class jobs are lost to overseas competitors.”

The 58-year-old attorney and U.S. Navy veteran called America “the most blessed gift God gave to our world.”

“We are a nation facing numerous threats – radical Islamic terrorism, culture war, hostile foreign governments – China, Russia, and Iran, and rampant crime.  We are a nation with severe economic issues – debt, deficit, inflation, credit card debt, economic insecurity,” stated Murphy.  “It is unacceptable to the American people that we continue to stagnate in this malaise.”

Murphy sought an open 3rd district House seat in 2008 when Rep. Jim Saxton (R-Mount Holly) retired after two dozen years in Congress.  He ran off the line with the endorsement of former Jersey City Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Bret Schundler.

Medford Mayor Christopher Myers defeated Ocean County Freeholder Jack Kelly by a 49.4% to 25.4% margin, with Murphy coming in just 37 votes behind Kelly (25.3%).  Myers lost to State Sen. John Adler (D-Cherry Hill).

With the backing of Tea Party groups, Murphy ran again in 2010  but lost the GOP primary by twenty percentage points to former NFL player Jon Runyan.  Runyan unseated Adler in the general election.

Murphy was elected to local office in Tabernacle in 2000, ousting incumbent Frances Brooks by about 250 votes.  He has also served as Tabernacle GOP municipal chairman.

He will face Mendham Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner and real estate developer and hotelier Curtis Bashaw – and possibly former News 12 New Jersey reporter Alex Zdan – in the Republican primary.

Four other Republicans make up a lower tier in the race: perennial candidate Gregg Mele, the 2021 Libertarian nominee for governor; small business owner Michael Estrada, who won 1% of the vote in an independent State Assembly bid six years ago;  Patrick James Merrill, and former presidential candidate Albert Harshaw.