NJ first lady Tammy Murphy launches Senate bid against Menendez

New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy launched a Senate challenge to embattled Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) on Wednesday, setting up the potential for a highly unusual primary battle between a longtime Democratic senator and the spouse of the state’s Democratic governor.

Murphy announced her run in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying she is running to “fight for New Jersey, our families and our democracy.” Her announcement had been at least somewhat expected following reports about her potential interest in running. 

She joins Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) in the Democratic primary challenging Menendez, who has received widespread calls within his own party to resign in the aftermath of being indicted on bribery allegations. Those calls have included New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.

“Right now, Washington is filled with too many people more interested in getting rich or getting on camera than getting things done for you,” Tammy Murphy said in her announcement video, while clips of Menendez and a few other senators were shown. 

Murphy has served as first lady since 2017, when her husband became governor. He was reelected to a second term in 2021. 

The first lady has been present at many events throughout her husband’s tenure as governor and has focused much of her time in recent years on addressing maternal health and climate change. 

Murphy highlighted her role in the Nurture NJ program, which seeks to address/ inequities in maternal and infant health, especially for people of color. She also noted that New Jersey became the first state to add teaching about climate change to the state’s K-12 curriculum through an initiative she championed. 

“I am so proud of everything we’ve accomplished, but I know there’s a lot more to do,” she said. 

Menendez, who has served in the Senate since 2006, was indicted in September following allegations he and his wife accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from a group of New Jersey businessmen.

The indictment alleges the senator and his wife received cash, gold bars, a luxury car and a mortgage on their home in exchange for Menendez taking various actions, including putting pressure on state officials to end or slow down criminal investigations into the businessmen or their allies.

The senator has rejected calls to resign and indicated his plan is to run for reelection next year.

Kim, who immediately called on Menendez to step down, officially launched a challenge to Menendez for the Democratic nomination last week. He initially said the day after the indictment that he planned to run. 

Regardless of whether Menendez ultimately runs, the primary race could be highly competitive in the solidly Democratic state.