New Jersey's first lady Tammy Murphy announced Sunday that she will withdraw from the Democratic Senate primary, likely paving the way for Democratic Rep. Andy Kim to secure the nomination.
“After many busy, energetic and challenging months, I am suspending my Senate campaign today,” Murphy said in a video posted to social media.
“I’ve been truthful and factual throughout,” she continued. “But it is clear to me that continuing this race would involve running a very divisive and negative campaign, and I do not want to do that.”
“I made this decision because this campaign was not about me. And we know that the best thing we can do for New Jersey right now is to unite and focus on the real issues at hand,” she added.
Murphy did not support Kim in the three-minute video.
Kim called Murphy “a voice for progress and public service in our state” in a statement obtained by NBC News after Murphy's announcement.
Rep. Kim added, “Tammy and I agree that it is important to keep this seat and the Senate under Democratic control.” “Unity is critical, and we will continue our efforts to strengthen democracy in New Jersey while coming together to confront the dangerous agenda promoted by Trump.”
Sources close to the Murphy campaign told NBC News that the decision was made after Murphy and her advisers concluded that her path to victory in the June 4 Democratic primary was limited and even unwinnable. Her announcement came the day before the state's primary filing deadline.
The first lady's campaign has drawn some criticism, with many frustrated that her husband, Gov. Phil Murphy, is pushing his wife's candidacy. This, combined with Kim's decisive victory over Murphy in several county contests this month, proved to be a fatal blow to her candidacy.
Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop said in a statement this week that he made a mistake when he endorsed Murphy several months ago.
“It’s no secret that I’m disappointed with the campaign and how it’s going,” Fulop said. “It is clear that I was wrong in initially supporting and endorsing Tammy Murphy for Senate.”
Murphy and Kim are both launching Senate campaigns in the fall, seeking to replace Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, who, along with his wife, is facing federal charges of obstruction of justice and bribery.
Since the first indictment was announced last September, additional charges have been added, bringing the total to 18. Both men denied the charges.
Menendez did not officially announce whether he would run for re-election, but announced that he would run as an independent candidate, saying, “I hope that I will be found not guilty this summer so I can run as an independent Democratic candidate.” “General election.”
The race was consumed by New Jersey's unique voting design, known as “county lines,” which gives candidates endorsed by county parties an advantage on the ballot. Critics say it gives several county party chairs significant power over primaries. This is especially true in counties where support rests solely with the chairperson.
Kim won county elections in several counties where support is determined in convention counties, but Murphy garnered endorsements from several powerful county party chairs. That would have given Murphy preferred voting positions in some of the counties with the highest percentages of registered Democrats.
Mr. Kim then filed a lawsuit in federal court to remove the county lines and testified as a witness last week.
“The core of democracy is giving the people choices and allowing them to make decisions,” Kim said on the witness stand Monday. “But if there are elements or factors that limit that… “This is an action that runs counter to the pursuit of democracy, where I believe in fairness and equality.”
Meanwhile, Murphy was frustrated that the process was dominating the race.
“We are all playing by the same rules. So, if the rules could be improved and reformed to make things better, I would totally do that.” Murphy said Sunday.
“But my thoughts end here.” Murphy added. “I’m trying to help at a reasonable price. I am committed to supporting reproductive freedom. I'm trying to help with gun safety and climate change. And I think that's something that people think about every day. So I’m tired of hearing the process.”
Whoever wins the Democratic nomination is likely to be elected to the Senate in November, and the nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as “likely Democratic.”