The front-runner for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate said the prospect of running against the Governor’s wife, Tammy Murphy, smacks of cronyism and accused her of being unable to understand how New Jerseyans struggle under the Biden-Murphy economy.
Mendham Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner was quick to go on the attack against Murphy, accusing her of “disdain for the democratic process and eager embrace of insider politics is what enables bad actors to manipulate the system for the benefit of well-connected elites at the expense of ordinary New Jerseyans.”
“Tammy Murphy’s candidacy highlights the cronyism that has plagued New Jersey politics for decades – the very same cronyism that led New Jersey Democrats to support Bob Menendez despite his lengthy track record of blatant corruption,” said Serrano Glassner. “Mrs. Murphy’s campaign strategy of piggybacking off of her past financial contributions to influential politicians and her husband’s ability to dole out political favors reeks of corruption and nepotism.”
She also went after Murphy’s personal wealth and political connections.
“Worse yet, ‘Bougie Tammy’ – with her Italian villa and designer label lifestyle – couldn’t possibly relate to the struggles that New Jersey families face daily in this Biden-Murphy economy,” Serrano Glassner said. “If Tammy Murphy’s coronation as the Democrat nominee takes place as planned, it will send a loud and clear signal to New Jersey voters that the Democrat machine has learned nothing from the sad saga of ‘Gold Bar Bob.’”
A former George W. Bush administration official and now a two-term mayor of a small Morris County municipality, Serrano Glassner is the wife of veteran political operative Michael Glassner, who played a top role in Donald Trump’s 2016 and 2020 presidential bids.
Serrano appears to be the likely Republican candidate to take on the winner of the Democratic primary unless Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis) decides he wants to take a shot at the U.S. Senate. Van Drew told the New Jersey Globe that he will make his decision by January.
Menendez has not yet announced his re-election plans. An internal poll from Public Policy Polling released this morning shows Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) leading Murphy, 40%-21%, with Menendez polling at a weak 5%. Former Newark Board of Education member Lawrence Hamm was not included in the poll.
Serrano Glassner and Murphy are both vying to become the first woman to represent New Jersey in the United States Senate.