Camden County goes with Tammy Murphy for Senate

Camden County Democrats will back First Lady Tammy Murphy for U.S. Senate, giving her the organization line in a county where an early investment in vote-by-mail has resulted in an outsized voter turnout in primary elections.

Her endorsement today by State Sen. James Beach (D-Voorhees), the Democratic county chairman, is tantamount to ratification by the Camden county committee members when they meet next year to vote on an endorsement.

“Over her tenure in the Governor’s Office, Murphy has created a long list of policy accomplishments that include important work on improving maternal health, combating climate change, and building a better state,” said Beach.  “Based on this portfolio, we believe Murphy’s drive and determination will benefit the county, state, and nation as our representative at the U.S. Capitol alongside our current Democratic congressional delegation.”

The New Jersey Globe first reported last week that Democratic powerbroker George E. Norcross III had told key party leaders at a post-election lunch that he expected South Jersey to go with Murphy.

Support for Murphy’s Senate bid comes despite the presence of a South Jersey candidate in the race: Rep. Andy Kim (D-Morristown), a three-term congressman from Burlington County.

Kim is the favorite to win the organization line in Burlington, but will need to battle Murphy in Atlantic and Cape May, and likely watch endorsements in Gloucester, Cumberland, and Salem go to Murphy.

South Jersey Democrats have sought to claim a statewide office – they haven’t held one since Gov. Jim Florio lost re-election in 1993 – but Rep. Rob Andrews (D-Haddon Heights) lost primaries for governor in 1997 and U.S. Senate (against incumbent Frank Lautenberg) in 2008.

Camden County has 181,503 Democrats, about 7% of the state – the fifth-highest county Democratic registration in the state – but in 2021 and 2022, Camden voters cast more votes in the Democratic primary than any other county in the state.

Beach cited the chance for New Jersey to elect a woman to the Senate for the first time.

“Our organization believes it is overdue for a woman to represent the state of New Jersey in the U.S. Senate and looks forward to working with her and her team in the upcoming Democratic primary,” he said.

With Beach formally on board, additional Democratic officeholders from Camden County are expected to follow in support of Murphy.

Beach praised Murphy for her work on substantial policy issues over the last six years – initiatives he supported in the State Senate.

“Whether it is reducing gun violence, preserving and enhancing health care options for women, or tackling climate change, we believe Tammy is closely aligned with the principles and ideals of the Camden County Democratic Party,” he said.