New Jersey
NJ Senate race: Andy Kim easily beats Tammy Murphy for Democratic nod on his home turf
U.S. Rep. Andy Kim sailed to an easy and expected victory at the Burlington County Democratic Convention on Saturday over Tammy Murphy, the state’s first lady and his chief rival for the party’s nod in the June primary for the U.S. Senate.
According to unofficial tallies, Kim, the clear favorite on his home-county turf, grabbed 245 votes to Murphy’s 21 votes. Other candidates — Patricia Campos-Medina, a Latina activist and union organizer, and Lawrence Hamm, a social justice advocate from Newark — also earned votes, but those numbers were not immediately available.
The candidates are vying to succeed U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, the Union County Democrat who was accused by federal prosecutors of accepting bribes while acting as a foreign agent for Egypt and Qatar.
Menendez denies the charges and has not ruled out the possibility of running for reelection this year, although he did not compete in the Burlington convention Saturday and the prospects of running again appear to be unlikely.
Stile: Andy Kim a Trump supporter? That’s what Tammy Murphy wants you to think
The outcome was widely expected. Kim, who was raised in Evesham Township and has represented most of Burlington County since entering Congress in 2019, is a popular figure here. Leading up to Saturday’s event Kim snapped up a slew of endorsements from prominent Democratic county officials, including state Sen. Troy Singleton, who has emerged in recent years as perhaps the county’s most powerful Democrat.
The win now confers on Kim the valuable endorsement of the Burlington County machine. In practical terms, that means he will be bracketed on the June 4 primary ballot on the same “line” or column led by President Joe Biden and with other endorsed candidates for Congress and local offices. Organizational line candidates almost always win.
“We have some scary moments and scary things going on in our country and in our world right now,” Kim said to a standing room only crowd of 300 packed inside the auditorium of the Burlington County satellite campus of Rowan University in Mount Laurel before the voting started.
“We face some real existential threats, real challenges at deep levels, whether that’s what we see on Jan. 6th and what we see going on around the world,” he added referring to the riot of supporters of President Donald Trump just before he left office in 2021. “We’re in this together.”
Stile: Is the NJ Democratic nomination for Senate really ‘in play’? Can Kim win?
In the county-by-county contest for party support, Saturday’s vote has limited value. Burlington’s 140,000 registered Democrats represent just 5.6% of the 2.5 million voters eligible to vote in the Democratic primary.
Yet, the victory is certain to add to the perception that grassroots momentum continues to build behind Kim’s buck-the-machine candidacy. Earlier this month, Kim stunned the political establishment by notching a blowout victory over Mrs. Murphy in Monmouth County, where the Murphy family has lived for 25 years. He is also expected to win the smaller Hunterdon County convention on Sunday.
What happened in Monmouth: Democrats back Andy Kim for Senate over Tammy Murphy, in race to replace Menendez
The first lady still has considerable advantages in her corner, winning the endorsements of county bosses in Democratic Party strongholds of Essex, Hudson, Middlesex and Bergen counties. In those counties, the party leaders’ endorsement has an enormous sway in the nominating process.
Many of those leaders in those Democrat-rich counties endorsed Murphy shortly after she jumped into the race in November, a move that signaled an attempt to create an aura of inevitability about her campaign and derail Kim before he got any traction.
Primary race: Andy Kim, Tammy Murphy make their cases to Democrats at Monmouth University forum
In her pitch to the committee delegates, Murphy argued that a woman senator could be a reliable and determined foe of right wing, Trumpian extremism that has engulfed the Republican Party and wields power in Congress. If elected, Murphy would be the first woman senator from New Jersey.
“We need more ticked off moms who are beholden only to our children in Washington, D.C.,” she told the audience before voting. “We need a senator who’s going to be a champion for women and girls and stop right-wing extremists who want to ban abortion in all 50 states.”
But many of Murphy’s institutional advantages may have turned into potential liabilities for her, sparking accusations that she sought to coast to the nomination with the help of husband Gov. Phil Murphy’s grip on Democratic Party insiders. The charges of nepotism have dogged the campaign from the moment she stepped into the ring.
Kim, meanwhile, has constantly attacked Murphy as a dubious Democrat, who raised thousands of dollars for Republicans dating back to the late 1990s, including former President George W. Bush. Although Murphy also gave to prominent Democrats at the time — including Al Gore, Bush’s opponent in the 2000 presidential race — she remained a registered Republican as late as 2014.
Campaigning in North Jersey: Congressman Andy Kim visits Ridgewood to make his case to Bergen County Democrats
The result has been a rocky start for Murphy, who has trailed in opinion polls. Her campaign also announced last week the departure of her campaign manager, Max Glass. No replacement was named.
Kim, meanwhile, has cast himself around the state as the most reliable Democratic Party choice to win in the general election by frequently citing his record of flipping the 3rd Congressional District in 2018 and his consistent opposition to Trump policies since taking office.
‘Kim-mentum?’ A tide of unease about Tammy Murphy washes across NJ Democratic grassroots
Murphy has tried to muddy that record by citing several procedural votes that aligned with the Trump agenda. Yet, on Friday, the Kim campaign circulated a photo, first published by the Daily Beast, of the Murphys posing in a group shot with Trump’s daughter, Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, son of the disgraced New Jersey developer Charles Kushner.
Talking to reporters after the event, Murphy defended the appearance as the result of responsible diplomacy that her husband conducted with the Trump administration during the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor maintained that the open channels with Trump helped the state secure needed supplies and relief from the federal government.
“We’re never going to progress as a country if we are … constantly sitting at the table with people who are thinking the same way and we’re watching the same news feeds,” she argued. “If we had not reached across the aisle during COVID to get the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), to get the ventilators, people would have died in our state.”
PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) — One person was killed and three others were injured in a shooting in Paterson.
The violence erupted around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of East 29th Street and 10th Avenue.
Children nearby gasped in horror at the sound of rapid gunfire. They were just about to sing Happy Birthday to their 13-year-old friend at her backyard party, but instead of blowing out the candles, they ducked for cover when they heard gunshots in the distance.
“Just hearing it – it was scary to witness, to hear. Especially on my birthday. Like a time I’m trying to play with my friends, get together,” said the 13-year-old.
She also says she had a friend who was there who saw what happened.
“He was going to the bodega – he went running back, but he had saw two people come out of a car and then shoot, but it was like an automatic gun,” she added.
Bystanders watched in shock and panic as first responders treated the victims. One of them was lying in the street next to a car and another was on the ground next to a bicycle.
Local councilman Luis Velez says the City of Paterson has taken measures to reduce crime in this part of town – what he calls a ‘hotspot’ — in part by installing security cameras. He is encouraging the community to cooperate.
“Paterson Police is doing their job as I know, they’re doing a great job to reduce crime, but one again we, the police, nobody, not even the news media has a crystal ball to say this is going to happen now,” Velez said, “Some people see corners getting built up, they see activities and they’re afraid to come out and say something, but our police department is trained to keep it confidential and approach to bring the quality of life in this area.”
The 13-year-old hopes her next birthday party is not ruined by the sound of gunshots.
“First we thought it was fireworks, but then we heard sirens and everyone started going home because they were scared,” she added.
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Let’s be honest, we didn’t need a national list to tell us this. New Jersey has the best restaurants, the best food, and some of the most talented chefs anywhere in America.
It’s something locals have been saying forever, and now the rest of the country is catching up. Still, it’s always nice to see that recognition on a big stage.
We Already Knew New Jersey Was the Best
USA TODAY’s 2026 Restaurants of the Year list highlights standout dining destinations across the country.
From humble roadside gems to chef-driven hotspots earning major buzz, the list celebrates places that truly stand out, and New Jersey showed up in a big way.
Three New Jersey Spots Earn National Recognition
This year, three Garden State restaurants made the prestigious list:
- The Pasta Shop – Denville
- Ram & Rooster – Metuchen
- Anjelica’s – Sea Bright
And yes, that includes a Jersey Shore favorite, because of course it does.
These restaurants represent everything people love about dining in New Jersey, quality, creativity, and flavors that keep you coming back.
A Jersey Shore Standout Shines
There’s something special about seeing a Jersey Shore restaurant included among the best in America. It’s not just about great food, it’s about the full experience, the atmosphere, and that unmistakable local charm.
Anjelica’s in Sea Bright earning a spot only reinforces what shore locals already know: some of the best meals you’ll ever have are right here, close to home.
No Surprise, Just Well-Deserved
At the end of the day, this recognition feels less like a surprise and more like confirmation. New Jersey’s food scene has always been top-tier, and lists like this just make it official.
Keep Reading: Beloved New Jersey Restaurant is Closing
So whether you’re heading to Denville, Metuchen, or down the shore, you already know, you’re in for something special.
PHOTOS: Step Inside a 1970s Kitchen — 34 Things You’ll Recognize
From Tupperware jugs (you know the ones) to those ever-present knife sharpeners, let’s take a nostalgic trip back to the quintessential ’70s kitchen.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
If You Grew Up in the ’70s and ’80s, These Foods Were Super Fancy
From Babybels to Toblerone chocolate, take a nostalgic bite out of these ‘fancy’ childhood foods that made us feel way more elegant than we really were.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
FIFA and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill have become embroiled in a war of words this past week as the prospect of $150 train tickets to travel to World Cup games and plans to close parts of New York’s Penn Station have angered residents.
The recent uproar began after reports surfaced April 6 that parts of Penn Station would be closed to NJ Transit commuters not attending World Cup games for four hours before kickoff during the eight matches at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
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Moreover, round-trip train tickets between Penn Station in Manhattan and MetLife Stadium, where the final of the FIFA World Cup is set to be played, were announced by NJ Transit to come in at $150 per person.
A return ride on the same line typically costs $12.90, according to NJ Transit.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed during the Los Angeles stop of The FIFA World Cup 26 Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola at LA Live in Los Angeles on March 24, 2026.
In a press release on April 17, Sherrill said the move to increase prices was caused by FIFA’s decision to eliminate parking at MetLife Stadium. The Democratic governor said price increases happened because FIFA did not agree to cover the costs of transporting fans.
“We are committed to ensuring costs are shared fairly. As I have said repeatedly, FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans. If it won’t, we will not be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ TRANSIT every day,” Sherrill said.
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More: Going to World Cup at MetLife Stadium? Expect $150 train tickets and no parking
FIFA, on the other hand, has said the price increase would have a “chilling effect” on fans attending games in New Jersey and said Sherrill’s demands asking FIFA to absorb transportation costs for fans were “unprecedented.”
“Elevated fares inevitably push fans toward alternative transportation options. This increases concerns of congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup,” Heimo Schirgi, COO for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, said in a statement to USA TODAY.
The NJ Transit logo is seen in the lobby of the New Jersey Transit headquarters ahead of a press briefing on the New York/New Jersey FIFA World Cup 2026 regional mobility plan in Newark, New Jersey on April 17, 2026.
What are other cities doing with World Cup transportation?
New Jersey has not been the only place where transportation costs have been the subject of discussion ahead of the World Cup. In Boston, round-trip train train tickets on the MBTA from Boston’s South Station to Gillette Stadium are being sold for $80.
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Special event trains to Foxborough for New England Patriots NFL games and New England Revolution MLS matches are usually $20 for a round trip, according to local news station CBS Boston.
Other cities have not seen increases like the ones in New Jersey and Boston. In Atlanta, for example, train fares on the city’s MARTA will be $2.50 per ride, with children able to travel for free with a paying adult.
Kansas City is offering $15 round-trip shuttle rides for fans parking in four different park-and-ride locations, as well as those coming from FIFA’s Fan Festival in the city. Los Angeles, on the other hand, is offering fans a $3.50 round trip train ticket on its Metro Train.
SEPTA in Philadelphia is also keeping its prices low, with fans set to pay the base $2.90 fare for a ride on its Broad Street Line, which takes riders to Lincoln Financial Field, set to host six matches.
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Katie Sobko from USA TODAY Network’s NorthJersey.com contributed to this report.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup fans going to MetLife Stadium to pay $150 for NJT ticket
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