The mayor of the only town in New Jersey with an all-female governing body endorsed First Lady Tammy Murphy for U.S. Senate today – and criticized the rhetoric of Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, who is backing Murphy’s Democratic primary opponent, Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown).
When endorsing Kim last week, Fetterman said that Murphy was likely “a lovely woman” but raised concerns over her past Republican voter registration. According to Glen Rock Mayor Kristine Morieko, the senator’s language is “an implicit dog whistle” that demonstrates the need for a Murphy victory in this year’s Senate primary.
“The overall portrayal of the female experience in New Jersey politics is described as marred by sexist and misogynistic tones, perpetuated by male figures in Washington,” Morieko said. “The statement predicts that unless this culture changes, qualified and talented women will struggle to secure positions in local governments and on the Senate floor.”
Morieko added that Kim’s acceptance of Fetterman’s endorsement should cause a reckoning on his campaign.
“Nodding along, covertly accepting an endorsement from Senator Fetterman, Andy Kim should evaluate the priorities in his campaign,” Morieko said. “This is one more reason why we need to elect Tammy Murphy as the first female from New Jersey to the Senate. It is time to challenge the complicit, boy’s club culture in the Senate and create opportunities for qualified and talented women to lead with grace, dignity, and compassion for all.”
Murphy and Kim are the two leading contenders for the Senate seat currently held by incumbent Senator Bob Menendez, whose political fortunes have been grievously wounded by the federal corruption charges against him. If elected, either Murphy or Kim would make history: Murphy as New Jersey’s first woman senator, Kim as the first Asian American senator from New Jersey (and from the entire East Coast).
Murphy has won the lion’s share of endorsements from New Jersey so far, including six of Kim’s House colleagues; she also has the backing of the Democratic chairman in Morieko’s home of Bergen County. Kim, meanwhile, has support from Fetterman and six Pennsylvania House members across the Delaware River.
See here for a full list of endorsements in New Jersey’s 2024 congressional contests.