Gov. Phil Murphy will join Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and a group of local rabbis at a candlelight vigil tonight honoring victims of Saturday’s terrorist attack in Israel.
While the observance is not political, some Democrats were surprised that Murphy decided to attend an event featuring Bhalla, who is considering a challenge to freshman Rep. Robert J. Menendez in the Democratic primary next year.
“All politics is local,” said a Democratic party leader who asked not to be identified. “Deliberate or not, the governor joining Ravi sends a message.”
Bhalla began making calls to gauge support for a congressional run days after Menendez’s father, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, was indicted on federal bribery and conspiracy charges. Led by Murphy, most New Jersey Democratic leaders have called for Senator Menendez to resign, and many expect Congressman Menendez, who coasted to victory in an open seat race last year, to face a competitive primary.
“At peak power, the Menendez team would have ostracized anyone who even thought about challenging them,” said Micah Rasmussen, the director of the Rebovich Institute of New Jersey Politics at Rider University. “So for Governor Murphy to be with Mayor Bhalla says everything about how much the ground under their feet has shifted.”
But a Murphy aide told the New Jersey Globe that the Hoboken vigil fit best with the governor’s schedule this evening. Murphy will be attending a Monmouth County Democratic fundraiser, and the 8 PM start time in Hoboken is an hour later than another event to show support for Israel that also extended an invitation.
First Lady Tammy Murphy, a possible candidate for Menendez’s Senate seat, and Lt. Governor Tahesha Way will also be attending vigils this week.
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