Murphy's law: help wife's run
Tax $$ used to boost Sen. campaign
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has been using taxpayer resources to promote his wife as she campaigns to become the Garden State’s next senator, according to records and critics.
Murphy’s press office has pumped out a slew of fawning releases on the governor’s website about First Lady Tammy Murphy after she announced her Senate run on Nov. 15.
The releases include:
Nov. 20: “At Maternal and Infant Health Roundtable Discussion at University Hospital, First Lady Tammy Murphy Announces Introduction of Doula Access Bill. Legislation Ensures Doulas’ Access to Hospitals and Birthing Facilities to Accompany Pregnant Mothers.”
Dec. 13: “First Lady Tammy Murphy today announced that six public members have been appointed by Governor Phil Murphy to serve on the Board of the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority.”
Jan. 9: “First Lady Tammy Murphy Announces 2024 State of the State Address Special Guests On Tuesday, January 9.”
Jan. 16: “First Lady Tammy Murphy Celebrates Signing of Doula Access Bill.”
Jan. 23: “First Lady Tammy Murphy today hosted a roundtable discussion to celebrate Maternal Health Awareness Day.”
Seeks Menendez seat
Critics note that Tammy Murphy benefits from the trappings of being first lady, with a Nov. 22 release announcing that “Governor Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy Invite New Jersey Residents to Holiday Open Houses at Drumthwacket” — the governor’s mansion in Princeton.
She faces a contested Democratic primary race against Rep. Andy Kim and possibly incumbent Robert Menendez, who is facing bribery and corruption charges.
Phil Murphy has called on Menendez to resign. The state’s other Senate seat is held by Democrat Cory Booker of Newark.
Garden State Republicans have cried foul over Tammy Murphy’s advantageous situation, accusing her husband of inappropriately using public resources of the governor’s office to promote his wife’s campaign.
“We finally understand: all of these years Phil Murphy promised that to make things ‘Stronger and Fairer,’ he was talking about his own marital harmony — not New Jersey,” said Alex Wilkes, a spokesperson for the state Republican Party.
“His backwards policies have bankrupted everyone in this state who hasn’t already left, so it makes sense that he’s using the taxpayer dime to support his wife’s campaign: they’re some of the only ones left who can afford to stay here,” said Wilkes.
The Murphys’ situation is reminiscent of when then-President Bill Clinton was accused of using the power of the Oval Office to help his wife, Hillary, in her successful bid to become a senator from New York.
Gov. Murphy’s office defended the promotion of Tammy’s work on policy issues she has tackled as first lady, particularly maternal health.
“First Lady Tammy Murphy is proud to continue the . . . work she started six years ago through her Nurture NJ initiative to tackle our state’s maternal and infant health crisis and make New Jersey the safest and most equitable state in the nation to deliver and raise a baby,” said Tyler Jones, a spokesperson for the governor’s office.
Tammy Murphy has made maternal health a key plank in her campaign, launching a “Moms for Murphy” team, so the governor’s office is in sync with her campaign message.