Tammy Murphy, wife of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, called off her candidacy for the U.S. Senate on Sunday after running a campaign that critics said was nepotistic.
The Garden State’s first lady is fighting for victory in the Democratic primary for the upcoming U.S. Senate in light of federal corruption charges against Sen. Bob Menendez. On Thursday, Menendez said he would not run as a Democrat and would run as an independent.
Murphy’s main candidate in the race was Representative Andy Kim (D.N.J.), who has been in office since 2019. In a video posted to X, she described the “huge challenges” facing New Jersey.
“After a busy, exhilarating, and certainly difficult few months, I am ending my Senate campaign today,” Murphy said in a statement.
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FILE – New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (left) and First Lady Tammy Murphy attend the National Governors Association Summer Conference on July 15, 2022 in Portland, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bucati, File)
The New Jersey Democrat claimed his main reason for leaving the race had to do with a desire to “not make a fuss.”[e] It’s a very divisive and negative campaign.”
“At a time when Donald Trump is on the ballot and there is so much at stake for our country, wasting resources tearing apart fellow Democrats instead of talking about process and politics,” Murphy said. I don’t have any qualms about it,” he said. “My campaign has been about solutions for families and a vision for the next generation.”
The first lady also criticized former President Donald Trump in her speech, calling him a “dangerous threat” and encouraging Democrats to unite the country.
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HARRISON, NJ – NOVEMBER 20: Tammy Murphy, First Lady of New Jersey and Club President of New Jersey/New York Gotham FC, announces the 2023 NWSL to be held at Red Bull Arena in Harrison on November 20, 2023. New Jersey addressing fans at homecoming celebration at Champions Event. (Ira L. Black – Corbis/Getty Images)
“Now is the time to come together, not divide, as we face grave and dangerous threats at the national level thanks to Donald Trump and far-right extremists,” she added. “I am now focused on re-electing President Biden and ensuring that Democrats win every vote across New Jersey,” she said.
“I look forward to working with you to ensure our communities are affordable, our rights and freedoms are protected, and our future is secure.”
Murphy’s critics accuse her of running a campaign that appears nepotistic given her husband’s position as New Jersey governor. Days after her first-time candidate announced her Senate bid, she was endorsed by four New Jersey state legislators.
Democratic Congressman Andy Kim of New Jersey speaks at the American Federation of Public Employees’ Labor Rights rally at the Capitol in Washington, DC, on March 29, 2022. (Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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FOX News Digital has reached out to Kim’s and Murphy’s campaigns for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Bradford Betz contributed to this report.
