Tammy Murphy, New Jersey’s first lady, said Sunday she was suspending her Senate campaign a day before the deadline for candidates to file to run in the Democratic primary in June.
“After many busy, invigorating and, yes, challenging months, I am suspending my Senate campaign today,” Murphy said in a video posted to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “I have been genuine and factual throughout, but it is clear to me that continuing in this race will involve waging a very divisive and negative campaign, which I am not willing to do. And with Donald Trump on the ballot and so much at stake for our nation, I will not in good conscience waste resources tearing down a fellow Democrat.”
Her statement, which was more than three minutes, did not mention her main rival, Democratic Rep. Andy Kim, even as she said she would focus on party unity this year and reelecting President Joe Biden. Kim, who now faces a clear path to the nomination for the seat currently held by Sen. Bob Menendez, did not immediately respond to Murphy’s announcement.
