Edwards wants Murphy to come to Louisiana in 2023

PORTLAND, MAINE – Democratic Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards told the New Jersey Globe today that, when he’s term-limited in 2023, he’d like New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy to campaign in Louisiana for his potential Democratic successor; Murphy will lead the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) during the 2023 cycle.

“I wouldn’t be governor today without the help of the DGA,” Edwards said. “Phil Murphy’s a good friend, he’s more than qualified to lead the DGA. And so I absolutely would want him to be involved in the race to succeed me… I would hope he would come.”

Murphy will be tasked in 2023 with holding Louisiana’s open governorship, defending Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, and defeating Republican Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves.

Edwards noted that the DGA previously assisted him in his successful 2015 and 2019 campaigns to win a very conservative state. Even though there may be a disconnect between Murphy, a staunch progressive, and the more moderate Democrats present in Louisiana, Edwards said he wasn’t concerned about Murphy’s personal politics.

“He would be there to support the candidate from Louisiana who’s running,” he said. “Phil Murphy wouldn’t be on the ballot. The dynamics wouldn’t be any different than they were when the Democratic Governors Association was down helping me in ’15 and ’19.”

Back when Murphy was announced as the 2023 DGA chair, Cook Political Report Senate and Governors Editor Jessica Taylor noted that Murphy’s main job will be fundraising, and that most voters are unlikely to associate him with their local governor’s race.

“The DGA position is primarily a fundraising position,” Taylor said. “The average voter will not know who the DGA chair is.”

Murphy already led the DGA for the 2020 cycle, but he was largely prevented from traveling and campaigning in-person by the Covid pandemic. Democrats lost the Montana governorship that cycle, and did not make any gains on a very limited playing field.

For the first half of 2023, Murphy will also serve as the chairman of the National Governors Association (NGA), the first time ever a governor has led the NGA and their party’s gubernatorial campaign arm simultaneously. While the two jobs are largely distinct, it may be awkward for Murphy to represent Mississippi’s Reeves in the NGA while also campaigning to defeat him.