Murphy endorses Menendez – New Jersey Globe

Gov. Phil Murphy campaigned for Rep. Rob Menendez (D-Jersey City) on Sunday, endorsing the freshman congressman for re-election in New Jersey’s 8th district.

This was the first public comment on where Murphy stands in the race.  Menendez had not endorsed the governor’s wife, Tammy Murphy, for U.S. Senate in a race where his father is the incumbent.

“From defending reproductive rights to lowering health care costs, Rob has been a strong and active first-term congressman for the people of NJ-8, “Murphy said.  “He has my full support.”

Menendez faces a competitive primary challenge from Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla.  He has hammered Menendez on the criminal allegations against his father, and raised more money than the incumbent.

Murphy joined Menendez, Hudson County Executive Craig Guy, Union City Mayor and State Sen. Brian P. Stack, West New York Mayor Albio Sires, Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, and others at a GOTV rally in West New York today.

Murphy had nominated Menendez to serve as a commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and endorsed his run for Sires’ open congressional seat two years ago, even before Menendez announced his candidacy.

But Murphy called for Bob Menendez to resign on September 22, 2023, the day the Justice Department unsealed its corruption indictment against the three-term U.S. Senator.   The first lady joined the Senate race in November, while Bob Menendez remained a potential candidate.   She dropped out in March.

The governor has not endorsed any of the three remaining U.S. Senate candidates in tomorrow’s primary election.  Murphy has also not taken sides in the Democratic primary for Andy Kim’s 3rd district House seat.

Kim, the likely winner of the Democratic Senate nomination, has not endorsed in the Menendez vs. Bhalla contest.