DiVincenzo endorses Murphy’s Senate bid

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo has endorsed First Lady Tammy Murphy for U.S. Senate, saying that her work as First Lady “has impacted Essex County for the better.”

“Working alongside her husband, Governor Phil Murphy, Tammy has helped lead New Jersey through some of our most challenging times, which has included the COVID pandemic, and made great strides to enhance the health and vitality of all New Jerseyans,” DiVincenzo said in a statement. “New Jersey has enjoyed a legacy of superior representation in the U.S. Senate, and we can expect nothing less from Tammy Murphy.”

DiVincenzo also noted the history-making potential of Murphy’s campaign.

“I am a true believer in breaking down barriers and fostering equity and fairness in politics and our community,” he said. “Tammy would break another gender barrier by becoming the first woman elected as a U.S. Senator to represent New Jersey.”

DiVincenzo, who had previously telegraphed his likely support for Murphy before she launched her campaign, joins a parade of other top Essex Democrats in endorsing the First Lady; also backing her are Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-Newark), Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) and Essex County Democratic Chairman LeRoy Jones, who also chairs the state Democratic Party.

Their collective endorsements make it near-certain that Murphy will win the county Democratic line in Essex County next year. That’s a big deal, since Essex County is home to 12% of the state’s registered Democrats, more than any other county.

DiVincenzo is also the latest Democrat to abandon incumbent Senator Bob Menendez, who is under federal indictment on charges of bribery and acting as a foreign agent, after strongly supporting his previous bids. Menendez has resisted widespread calls for his resignation, but it remains unclear whether he’ll try to seek re-election; he’d likely have next to no support from either party leaders or voters if he does so.

One other prominent Democrat, Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown), is running for the Senate as well. Kim faces the prospect of being denied party support in much of the state – particularly in dense parts of North Jersey like Essex County – but he’s put together a formidable campaign nonetheless.