Tammy Murphy drops out of New Jersey Senate race
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First Lady Tammy Murphy. Photo: Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images.
New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy announced Sunday she is dropping out of her state's U.S. Senate race following a string of poor showings at local party conventions.
Why it matters: It clears a path for Rep. Andy Kim, whose grassroots support had been frustrating the establishment-backed Murphy, to win the Democratic nomination.
What she's saying: "After many busy, invigorating and, yes, challenging months, I am suspending my Senate campaign today," Murphy said in a video posted to X.
- Murphy said continuing her campaign would "involve waging a very divisive and negative campaign, which I am not willing to do."
- "With Donald Trump on the ballot and so much at stake for our nation, I will not, in good conscience, waste resources tearing down a fellow Democrat," she added.
The other side: Kim in a statement said Murphy "has been a voice for progress and public service," adding: "Tammy and I both agree that it is critical that we keep this seat, and the Senate, in Democratic control. Unity is vital."
The backdrop: Murphy and Kim jumped into the race for the seat after incumbent Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) was hit with explosive federal bribery charges last fall.
- Murphy, the wife of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, quickly racked up support from key state and county party leaders, as well as Kim's fellow House Democrats from New Jersey.
- But Kim has consistently out-polled Murphy and won county party endorsements at conventions where hundreds of party activists have been allowed to vote – rather than just a handful of bosses.
Of note: Menendez said last week he will not seek the Democratic nomination but will run as an "an independent Democrat" if he is exonerated at his trial in May.
Zoom out: Murphy's suspension is a blow to the Democratic Party order in New Jersey, one of the last bastions of old-school machine politics in the U.S.
Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from Rep. Andy Kim.
