Murphy backs party-endorsed candidates in 35th

Gov. Phil Murphy resumed his recent spree of legislative endorsements with an announcement for his support of party-backed candidates in the 35th legislative district. 

Murphy endorsed incumbent Assemblyman Al Abdelaziz (D-Paterson) and Passaic County Commissioner Orlando Cruz in the district’s Democratic Assembly primary. The governor also endorsed state Sen. Benjie Wimberly (D-Paterson).

“Senator Wimberly, Assemblyman Abdelaziz, and Commissioner Cruz are exceptional public servants who fight hard for the people they represent,” Murphy said in a release. “They’re committed to providing a high-quality education for all children, expanding access to affordable housing, and supporting small businesses. I know they’re the right team to provide strong representation for the people of Passaic and Bergen Counties in Trenton.”

The 35th district includes parts of Passaic and Bergen counties and is anchored by Paterson.

Wimberly does not face a primary challenge to fill an unexpired Senate term, but Abdelaziz and Cruz face a primary fight against Newark Corporation Counsel Kenyatta Stewart and former Garfield Councilman Romi Herrera. That primary has gubernatorial stakes: Stewart is an ally of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, while Herrera is running on Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop’s Assembly slate.

The death of Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson) last year opened a congressional seat, which was filled by then-state Sen. Nellie Pou (D-North Haledon). Wimberly, then an assemblyman, defeated Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter by one vote in a dramatic special election convention to succeed Pou in the Senate. Sumter later decided to not seek re-election. 

Abdelaziz won the January special election convention to succeed Wimberly in the Assembly. 

Cruz quickly became a leading candidate to receive the party’s endorsement to succeed Sumter. 

“The Governor has always stood strong for working and middle-class families and we have been proud to partner with him over the years to deliver for our constituents,” the three candidates said in the release. “The three of us are grateful for his support because we know we have important work to accomplish in Trenton during his final year in office. With just days left before the June 10th primary election, we look forward to earning the support of every Democratic voter and letting them know why we are the right team to move the district forward.”

Murphy endorsed Assemblyman William Sampson (D-Bayonne) and Hudson County Commissioner Jerry Walker in the 31st legislative district primary on Monday morning.