Murphy solicited funds for New Direction NJ

Gov. Phil Murphy said he has previously solicited funds for a non-profit run by his former campaign aides.

“Soliciting money for New Direction New Jersey in my life? Yes,” Murphy said when asked if he had helped raise funds for the group.

He said he had done so while serving as governor.

While federal law prohibits officials from coordinating with independent expenditures made by such groups, Murphy is not barred from soliciting funds for the group or appearing at events hosted by the same.

“It’s kosher under the laws, absolutely,” Murphy said.

The group has recently come under fire for reneging on a promise to disclose its donors at the end of 2018.

The group, which is run by former Murphy campaign staffers Brendan Gill, Brad Lawrence and Steve DeMicco, is not legally required to disclose its donors.

It’s possible that may change, as Murphy and Senate President Steve Sweeney have said they support creating disclosure requirements for such groups.

“Organizations like that … should not have the option to not disclose,” Murphy said. “I think the Senate President said something to that effect earlier.”