Rep. Andy Kim Bests Tammy Murphy, Wife of NJ Gov., in Democratic Convention

By Hamodia Staff

In the Monmouth County Democratic Convention to choose a candidate for the primary for the US Senate race next November, Rep. Andy Kim, who represents NJ’s 3rd District in Congress which includes parts of Monmouth County, soundly defeated Tammy Murphy, the wife of NJ Governor Phil Murphy, by a margin of 56.8% to 38.8 %.

The Democratic convention held Saturday was to choose whom local Democratic leaders wish to succeed indicted Sen. Bob Menendez. Murphy, who has lived in Middletown, the largest town in the county, since around 2000, has used her status as the first lady of New Jersey to lock up numerous endorsements from party leaders. Nevertheless, Kim was able to defeat her in what is considered a blowout of the 466 votes cast in the county convention.

“It shows there’s nothing inevitable about this race,” Politico quoted Kim as saying. “There’s nothing inevitable. There’s no sense anybody is destined to be able to win this thing. It confirmed what I’ve always thought — we’re the campaign that has the momentum.

“If we can win here where they’ve lived for decades, I think that sends a very strong message across all the counties,” Kim said. “The energy we have is real and should not be underestimated.”

Alex Altman, the spokesman for Murphy’s campaign, said in a statement, “[Tammy Murphy] is thrilled by the groundswell of support she has received from faith leaders, community members, elected officials, unions, and now Passaic County,” highlighting the endorsement she received from Passaic County Democrats the same day. “Tammy is grateful for all the votes she received today from Monmouth County and is thankful to all the delegates that stayed in the room during the long day. Tammy congratulated Andy on a hard-fought win today in Monmouth, and she looks forward to continuing her work to build a strong coalition across the state and earning the support of New Jersey voters.”

While the victory shows that Kim’s candidacy has momentum amongst rank-and-file Democrats, it also means that Kim will get to appear on the ballot with other party-endorsed candidates in a single column.

Before the vote, Kim made a reference to Sen. Menendez’s indictment, saying that constituents wouldn’t have to question his integrity.

“You deserve a representative that you can trust,” he said. “I’m not perfect. I [may cast] votes that you’re not gonna be 100 percent in agreement of. But you will never have to question why I do what I do.”

Menendez has not said whether he will seek reelection as he faces corruption charges, and did not participate in the Monmouth convention.