At the first Democratic convention held in New Jersey on Saturday, Rep. Andy Kim (D.N.J.) reportedly defeated the state’s first lady, Tammy Murphy, by a wide margin.
The three-term congressman’s early victory over Murphy in Monmouth County is significant, giving him the best chance to compete against the state’s other 20 counties to replace the long-suffering senator. He will continue to face the primary election in order to convince himself that he is the Democratic candidate. Bob Menendez, DN.J.
“If we can win here, where they’ve lived for decades, I think it would send a very strong message to the whole county,” Kim said of Murphy and her husband, Gov. Phil Murphy.
The powerful couple has lived in Monmouth County for about 25 years, according to the New York Times. Meanwhile, Kim serves as a member of the same county in Congress.
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Congressman Andy Kim (DN.J.) speaks at the American Federation of Public Employees’ Labor Rights rally at the Capitol on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in Washington, DC. Rep. Kim is running to replace U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez. (Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“The energy we have is real and should not be underestimated,” Kim said after securing county lines in Monmouth. That means Kim’s name will appear on the ballot along with the county’s other Democratic candidates. Partisan people appear more legitimate to voters.
Mr. Kim secured 56.8% of the vote, while Mr. Murphy received 38.8%, Politico reported. Another candidate, progressive labor activist Patricia Campos-Medina, received 4.2%.
This means that Mr. Kim secured a victory by a margin of 265 to 181 in a contest where 466 votes were cast.
According to Politico, Kim is seen as a weak candidate given the first lady’s high profile, fundraising strength and early support from county leaders in some of the state’s most Democratic regions. It is said that But on the same day he suffered defeat in Monmouth County, located along the Jersey coast, Murphy received an endorsement from the Passaic County Democratic Party.
”[Tammy Murphy] In a statement obtained by Politico, spokesperson Alex Altman said, “Tammy is grateful for the support she has received from faith leaders, community members, elected officials, labor unions, and now Passaic County. “We’re thrilled with the turnout,” he said. “Tammy is grateful for every vote she received today.” Thank you to all the participants who came from Monmouth County and stayed in the room for a long day. Tammy today congratulated Andy on his hard-fought victory in Monmouth, and Andy looks forward to continuing his efforts to build a strong coalition across the state and win the support of New Jersey voters. ” he said.
New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy greets fans during the 2023 NWSL Champions Event Homecoming Celebration on November 20, 2023 in Harrison, New Jersey. She is participating in the primary race for Bob Menendez’s U.S. Senate seat. (Ira L. Black – Corbis/Getty Images)
Menendez’s lawyer claims the FBI “illegally” raided his home, searched his home and seized $500,000 in gold and cash.
The June primary has so far appeared to be a head-to-head battle between Kim and Murphy, but other Democrats are also campaigning.
On Friday, former News 12 New Jersey reporter Alex Zudan, 38, announced his candidacy as the Republican candidate in the race to replace Menendez.
Last month, Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman specifically endorsed Kim, who is seeking victory in the primary for a New Jersey Senate seat.
Sen. Bob Menendez (DN.J., arriving on the Senate floor in Washington, D.C., January 25, 2024) So far, Menendez has rejected calls to resign from his party. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Fetterman was among the first to push for Menendez’s expulsion from Congress after federal prosecutors indicted him, his wife and business associates on charges of accepting cash and gold bribes in exchange for aid to the Egyptian government. was the claimant, but so was Qatar in subsequent prosecutions. .
Menendez and the other defendants have pleaded not guilty, and senators have vowed to fight the charges. Unlike when he was first indicted (charges that ultimately led to a hung jury in 2017), Menendez has lost support within his once virtually influential Democratic Party in his home state. There is.
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Menendez has not said whether he will run again, and so far there have been calls for him to resign as New Jersey Democrats fight to oust him and vie for his successor. endures. Fetterman joined fellow Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro in the race. Her campaign says Ms. Shapiro has raised money for Mr. Murphy.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
