Derrick Green leaves governor’s office, will help on re-election campaign

A top aide to Gov. Phil Murphy has left his state government post to return to the private sector and will work on the governor’s re-election campaign in a part-time capacity, the New Jersey Globe has learned.

Rev. Derrick L. Green, who served as a senior advisor to Murphy on Diversity, Faith, Urban and Regional Growth, will work on equity issues connected to economic empowerment in economically marginalized communities. He’s also work on affordable housing issues.

Green will also work with the Murphy for Governor campaign in a role similar to his job four years ago, helping to coordinate faith-based leaders to expand Black voter turnout in urban areas of New Jersey.

Just 42% of Black voters in New Jersey are considered frequent voters.

About 7.5% of the total registered voters in New Jersey are Black, and 74.3% of Black voters are Democrats.  Three out of four Black voters live in an urban center.

Minority voter turnout is critical to Murphy’s re-election campaign.

Murphy received 34,288 votes in Newark in 2017, about 94% of the vote.  As a candidate for re-election to the U.S. Senate last year, Cory Booker received 90% of the vote in Newark and 68,121 votes in a heavier turnout year.  In 2018, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez received 52,454 votes in Newark and 91% of the vote.

A Monmouth University Poll released this month puts Murphy’s job approval ratings among Black, Hispanic and Asian voters at 75%-17%, with 64% saying the governor should be re-elected and 26% saying it’s time for someone new.

The Murphy campaign will have until October 12 to add new voters to the rolls in time for the general election.

Green becomes the third member of Murphy’s state government staff to join the Murphy/Oliver campaign: Mike DeLamater departed as deputy chief of staff to become the political director and Jerrel Harvey left his post in the communications office to sign on as campaign press secretary.

It’s not immediately clear who will take over Green’s portfolio in the governor’s office. No replacement has been announced.

Green worked for the Urban League of Essex County, the Black Ministers Council of New Jersey and former Gov. Jon Corzine.