Democrat Refuses To Endorse His Own Ally

Governor Phil Murphy recently faced criticism for not appointing Andy Kim to the vacant Senate seat left by former Senator Bob Menendez. Instead, Murphy chose his former chief of staff, George Helmy, a decision that some interpret as a deliberate move to avoid giving Kim an incumbency advantage in the upcoming race against Republican challenger Curtis Bashaw.

In a recent interview with Semafor, Murphy commented on the state’s Senate race, saying there are “two very good candidates running.” He acknowledged that, as a Democrat, his support would naturally lean towards Kim, though he stopped short of offering an official endorsement. Murphy clarified his position in a conversation with the New Jersey Globe, emphasizing that while he might describe Kim as a “nice person,” his political allegiance would remain with Democratic candidates across the board.

Murphy dismissed suggestions of personal or political friction between himself and Kim, labeling such claims as unfounded media speculation. He stressed that his decision to not appoint Kim was based on a principle of neutrality, avoiding any perceived bias in the Senate race. Murphy explained that he had communicated his decision to both Kim and Bashaw, making it clear that the winner of the election, once certified, would assume Helmy’s position.

The lack of explicit support for Kim from Murphy has drawn notable attention. Representative Donald Norcross (D-NJ) weighed in, asserting that Kim is unequivocally the Democratic candidate for Senate and will be the next senator.

The Bashaw campaign responded positively to Murphy’s indirect support, noting that Bashaw’s collaborative efforts with both Democratic and Republican governors reflect his broad appeal. According to a Bashaw spokesperson, “Curtis is gaining ground with Democrats, Republicans, and independents all across the state,” underscoring the campaign’s optimism about its prospects in the upcoming election.