First Lady Tammy Murphy has been the beneficiary this week of campaign texts paid for by the Somerset County Democratic Committee – even though Somerset Democrats have not yet made an endorsement in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.
The texts feature a pro-Murphy message from Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair), who represents a district that neighbors Somerset County, and identifies itself as being from the “Somerset Dems.”
The Somerset Democratic organization confirmed that they had paid for the texts, but said it was done in error and the cost of the texts will be refunded.
“Yesterday due to staff error a personal endorsement of Tammy Murphy was sent out on the Somerset County Democratic Committee (SCDC) text messaging account,” the county Democratic committee said in a statement. “It should not have been sent out by the SCDC, and the cost of $13.40 will be reimbursed.”
“While individual members of the Somerset County Democratic Committee can and are encouraged to make personal endorsements, official Somerset County Democratic Organization candidate endorsements can only be obtained through our annual convention, which for 2024 will be held this Thursday,” the committee added.
That convention, where Somerset Democrats are set to choose between Murphy and Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) for their Senate endorsement, has drawn quite a bit of scrutiny. While either Kim or Murphy could win the county party line, Somerset Democratic Chair Peg Schaffer is a strong Murphy supporter, and sent a letter to county committeemembers last week bashing Kim and urging them to vote for Murphy tomorrow.
The convention will be held by public vote, rather than by secret ballot, leading some Somerset Democrats and Kim himself to cast doubts on the vote’s fairness. Kim’s campaign said today that the text message snafu is further evidence that Murphy’s campaign isn’t playing fairly in the county.
“This is yet another example of the difference between Andy and Tammy’s campaigns,” Kim spokesperson Katey Sabo said. “While Andy has called for a fair process that empowers voters and focuses on earning grassroots support, Tammy instead is working with the County Chair to spend precious Democratic Party funds to boost her, add 25 last minute handpicked delegates, and suppress calls for a secret ballot at the convention. Tammy is trying to do everything to prevent a fair vote.”