First lady Tammy Murphy hasn’t even declared her candidacy but already has been endorsed to run for the seat held by embattled U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ). In a statement on Thursday, state Sen. Dick Codey (D-Essex) backed Murphy to replace Menendez. He described her as a “qualified, deserving and driven person” and said she has been a force within Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration.
Tammy Murphy has not confirmed whether she will run. The New Jersey Globe reports a campaign website for her was registered last week and social media accounts are in the works.
If she does enter the race, Murphy will face U.S. Rep Andy Kim (D-3rd), who announced his candidacy a day after Menendez was indicted on fraud and conspiracy charges, and progressive activist Larry Hamm, in a Democratic primary. If elected, Murphy would be New Jersey’s first female U.S. senator.
