Tammy Murphy gets endorsements from four N.J. House members

First Lady Tammy Murphy’s campaign for the U.S. Senate received major new endorsements this morning from four of New Jersey’s Democratic members of Congress: Reps. Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch), Donald Norcross (D-Camden), Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson), and Donald Payne Jr. (D-Newark).

“We are building a broad coalition, one that represents everyone in our state,” Murphy said of the endorsements. “These outstanding elected officials have spent years fighting for working families in our state and standing up for New Jersey values in Washington. Together, we’ll deliver real change and ensure New Jersey has the strong federal delegation it needs to fight for affordability, strengthen our economy, protect a woman’s right to choose, and work towards real gun safety.”

The endorsements are notable in part because they come at the expense of another Democratic House member, Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown), who has served alongside Pallone, Norcross, Pascrell, and Payne for the last five years.

Kim, a three-term congressman from Burlington County, is expected to be Murphy’s main opponent in the 2024 Democratic Senate primary; indicted incumbent Bob Menendez may run again, but he is likely to lose in a landslide if he does. None of the four congressmen who endorsed Murphy today mentioned Kim or Menendez in their statements.

Today’s announcement also means Pallone and Norcross have both officially taken themselves out of contention for the Senate seat; both had previously floated the possibility of a campaign.

One other New Jersey House Democrat, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff), endorsed Murphy last week. In total, Murphy now has the support of more than half of New Jersey’s Democratic congressional delegation (not counting Kim or Menendez) less than a week after she officially launched her campaign.

Murphy has additionally gotten endorsements from a number of top party leaders, including Democratic county chairs in Hudson, Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, Somerset, Camden, and Passaic Counties. In next June’s primary election, she is likely to be on the county organizational line in most of the state, with Kim relegated to an off-the-line campaign.

Pallone’s statement: “As First Lady of New Jersey, Tammy has proven herself to be a tireless advocate for all New Jerseyans and will undoubtedly be an effective voice for our state and nation in the United States Senate. Her advocacy on behalf of women and all New Jerseyans has been instrumental to our progress. She has done incredible work on maternal mortality, climate change education and so much more. It is time for New Jersey to have a woman’s voice represent our state in the Senate and there is no one better than Tammy to fill that void. I look forward to having her as a partner in Congress as we work to tackle the major issues facing our state.”

Norcross’s statement: “I am proud to endorse Tammy Murphy to be the next United States Senator from New Jersey. Her accomplishments, her priorities, her commitment to our nation’s future make her the best candidate to serve New Jersey,” Norcross said. “From her first days as New Jersey’s First Lady, I have worked closely with Tammy to expand access to affordable, quality childcare and healthcare, especially improving maternal health outcomes. Her work reducing infant mortality for communities of color should be a national model. At a time when access to women’s life-saving healthcare is under constant attack, Tammy is a much needed leader to protect women’s rights in New Jersey and across the country. Tammy is also one of the strongest advocates for working people in New Jersey. She has been a champion of a clean energy future that includes good paying jobs for New Jersey’s working families, for higher wages and better working conditions. For these reasons and more I am proud to endorse Tammy Murphy for US Senate from New Jersey.”

Pascrell’s statement: “Tammy Murphy will be our state’s first woman United States Senator and not a moment too soon. Amid unprecedented attacks on women’s health and freedom, Tammy Murphy will be a powerful voice for our state in the face of dangerous extremism. And on the challenge of our time, the preservation of American democracy, Tammy Murphy will fight to protect democratic rights that stand precariously at a cliff. Now is the time for resolute leaders ready for the challenges ahead. Tammy Murphy will be an outstanding Senator and I look forward to working beside her in 2025 on behalf of all North Jerseyans.”

Payne’s statement: “As First Lady, Tammy Murphy sought to correct the shameful injustice of New Jersey’s record on maternal and infant mortality. She put her sights on the problem, sunk her teeth into real solutions, and built coalitions in communities up and down our state to support her goals. And after just a few years, her efforts took New Jersey from 49th in the country, all the way to 27th. We still have a long way to go, but that is the kind of real results the First Lady can deliver. She is tough, effective, smart, and empathetic. She has always put the community first, and that is why I am proud to endorse her for the United States Senate.”