Carol Murphy slams Burlington Dem chairman for putting his thumb on the scale in NJ-3

Carol Murphy smacked Burlington County Chairman Joseph Andl for his early endorsement of Herb Conaway, Jr. in the race for the Democratic nomination for Congress in New Jersey’s 3rd district, accusing him of “an attempt to subvert the will of Democrats in Burlington County.”

Murphy and Conaway, who both represent Burlington County in the State Assembly, want to replace Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown), who is giving up his seat to run for the U.S. Senate.

“We deserve and should demand a fair and open process where Democrats can choose the best nominee rather than have a decree from Chairman Joe Andl believing he has the only voice that matters,” Murphy said in an email to Burlington County Democrats.  “When I announced my intention to run for Congress, I said that a woman in politics never expects to have something handed to her.  The evidence of that stands before you today.”

Also at play is U.S. Senate politics in Burlington County.  Murphy and State Sen. Troy Singleton (D-Delran) endorsed Kim on the day he entered the race; Andl and Conaway have not.

“Many candidates in the past have sought endorsements before a Burlington County Democratic Party Committee convention only to be firmly rebuffed because it is ‘not how we do things,” Murphy stated.  “This approach goes against the values we have espoused in Burlington County, and why so many Democratic grassroots activists have been outraged at the treatment Andy Kim has received around the state – seeing it happen in Congressman Kim’s backyard is tremendously disrespectful and frankly hypocritical.”

Andl has also endorsed Steve Sweeney for governor in 2025.

Murphy said she intends to compete at the Burlington County Democratic convention against Conaway – and maybe others – in a bid to run on an organization line with President Joe Biden.

Her statements were aimed at Andl and not at Conaway.   Murphy said she’s “known Herb Conaway for more than two decades and have served alongside him, and I respect his service to our community.”

But the Assembly Majority Whip suggested that Andl’s unprecedented thumb on the scale could have consequences, perhaps full slates mounted by off-the-line candidates.

“These actions cause massive primary fights from the top of the ticket down to county offices, mayors, and municipal officials,” Murphy said.  “I intend to earn the votes I will receive on my way to winning the Democratic Party nomination.”