NJ Governor Vows Swift Action to Fill Menendez Seat as First Lady Declines
Three women are reportedly among the candidates being considered as replacements for the convicted senator.
TroibNews 
New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy has expressed that she does not wish to be appointed by her husband to fill the soon-to-be vacant Senate seat of Bob Menendez.
Tammy Murphy, who previously ran in the Democratic primary for Menendez’s seat, declared on Tuesday that she is uninterested in serving in the Senate. This comes as her husband, Gov. Phil Murphy, prepares to select a temporary replacement. Menendez announced on Tuesday, via a letter, that he will step down from his position next month after being convicted on 16 corruption charges.
“While I’m grateful for the humbling support and outreach I've received since last year, I want to reiterate that I will not accept an appointment to the U.S. Senate,” Tammy Murphy stated in a social media post. She emphasized her dedication to her current efforts in improving infant and maternal health.
Gov. Phil Murphy holds the authority to appoint a replacement for the remainder of Menendez’s term, which concludes at the beginning of the next year.
The governor is expected to act swiftly and is reportedly considering several candidates, including Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way, U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas, and Nina Mitchell Wells, a former secretary of state under Gov. Jon Corzine. All of these individuals are women of color. George Helmy, the governor’s former chief of staff, is also a potential candidate.
Murphy appointed Way as lieutenant governor following the passing of Sheila Oliver last summer. A source revealed at that time that the decision was between Way and Wells. Way, who has served as secretary of state since 2018, is one of the longest-serving members of Murphy’s administration.
Earlier this year, the first lady was engaged in a contentious Democratic primary battle for Menendez’s Senate seat against Democratic Rep. Andy Kim. However, she withdrew from the race in March due to backlash over her candidacy.
Currently, Kim is the Democratic nominee for the Senate seat and is anticipated to defeat his Republican opponent, Curtis Bashaw.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) is advocating for Murphy to appoint Kim.
Speaking to POLITICO on Tuesday, Kim mentioned he had not been contacted by the governor’s office. He noted that being his party’s nominee does not necessarily mean he should be appointed to the seat immediately.
“It’s a different protocol, and this is the governor's decision,” Kim said. “You know, my main focus is about winning this outright for six years.”
Gov. Murphy seems unlikely to appoint Kim due to the fiercely contested campaign Kim had with Tammy Murphy earlier this year. Such an appointment might also be perceived as the governor influencing the election, giving Kim the advantage of incumbency against his Republican opponent.
In a statement on Tuesday, Gov. Murphy pledged to secure a “temporary appointment to the United States Senate to ensure the people of New Jersey have the representation they deserve.” When asked by reporters on Monday about vetting potential candidates for a vacancy, Murphy commented: “I have no news at all to make on that front.”
Booker is not alone in his stance; several Democratic leaders, in conversations with POLITICO earlier this month, suggested it would be logical to appoint Kim, given his primary victory.
Other names being discussed include former Obama administration Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, and former state Sen. Dick Codey, who temporarily served as governor following the resignation of Gov. Jim McGreevey.
"I think I know how to conduct myself in public office,” Codey remarked. “If you look at polling data, there's only one other politician that ranks with the public above me and that's Governor Kean. I don't think Governor Murphy would appoint him. But it wouldn't be a bad choice."
Codey was referring to former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean, a Republican. A recent poll indicated that Codey had the second-highest approval rating among living New Jersey governors.
Upon being contacted by POLITICO, Johnson stated: “Best I can say right now is that I have no comment.”
Johnson’s name appeared on a list of Democrats recommended by Bashaw — Kim’s Republican rival — to Gov. Murphy in case of a vacancy, which also included comedian Jon Stewart. In a statement on Tuesday, Bashaw reiterated his stance that Murphy should not appoint Kim.
"The governor should appoint a caretaker to this seat, as is the long-standing New Jersey tradition, and not give either candidate the advantage of incumbency in this election,” Bashaw urged.
If Murphy decides against appointing Kim, it would not be unprecedented for a governor to select a placeholder for a vacant Senate seat. Last year, California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed someone to fill the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s seat who did not intend to run for the position. Notably, this occurred while a contested Democratic primary was ongoing, not after a winner had emerged.
In 2013, following the death of New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg, former Republican Gov. Chris Christie appointed Jeffrey Chiesa, Christie’s attorney general, to the vacant Senate seat. Chiesa served nearly five months in the Senate, which is now occupied by Booker.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
Tammy Murphy, who previously ran in the Democratic primary for Menendez’s seat, declared on Tuesday that she is uninterested in serving in the Senate. This comes as her husband, Gov. Phil Murphy, prepares to select a temporary replacement. Menendez announced on Tuesday, via a letter, that he will step down from his position next month after being convicted on 16 corruption charges.
“While I’m grateful for the humbling support and outreach I've received since last year, I want to reiterate that I will not accept an appointment to the U.S. Senate,” Tammy Murphy stated in a social media post. She emphasized her dedication to her current efforts in improving infant and maternal health.
Gov. Phil Murphy holds the authority to appoint a replacement for the remainder of Menendez’s term, which concludes at the beginning of the next year.
The governor is expected to act swiftly and is reportedly considering several candidates, including Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way, U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas, and Nina Mitchell Wells, a former secretary of state under Gov. Jon Corzine. All of these individuals are women of color. George Helmy, the governor’s former chief of staff, is also a potential candidate.
Murphy appointed Way as lieutenant governor following the passing of Sheila Oliver last summer. A source revealed at that time that the decision was between Way and Wells. Way, who has served as secretary of state since 2018, is one of the longest-serving members of Murphy’s administration.
Earlier this year, the first lady was engaged in a contentious Democratic primary battle for Menendez’s Senate seat against Democratic Rep. Andy Kim. However, she withdrew from the race in March due to backlash over her candidacy.
Currently, Kim is the Democratic nominee for the Senate seat and is anticipated to defeat his Republican opponent, Curtis Bashaw.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) is advocating for Murphy to appoint Kim.
Speaking to POLITICO on Tuesday, Kim mentioned he had not been contacted by the governor’s office. He noted that being his party’s nominee does not necessarily mean he should be appointed to the seat immediately.
“It’s a different protocol, and this is the governor's decision,” Kim said. “You know, my main focus is about winning this outright for six years.”
Gov. Murphy seems unlikely to appoint Kim due to the fiercely contested campaign Kim had with Tammy Murphy earlier this year. Such an appointment might also be perceived as the governor influencing the election, giving Kim the advantage of incumbency against his Republican opponent.
In a statement on Tuesday, Gov. Murphy pledged to secure a “temporary appointment to the United States Senate to ensure the people of New Jersey have the representation they deserve.” When asked by reporters on Monday about vetting potential candidates for a vacancy, Murphy commented: “I have no news at all to make on that front.”
Booker is not alone in his stance; several Democratic leaders, in conversations with POLITICO earlier this month, suggested it would be logical to appoint Kim, given his primary victory.
Other names being discussed include former Obama administration Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, and former state Sen. Dick Codey, who temporarily served as governor following the resignation of Gov. Jim McGreevey.
"I think I know how to conduct myself in public office,” Codey remarked. “If you look at polling data, there's only one other politician that ranks with the public above me and that's Governor Kean. I don't think Governor Murphy would appoint him. But it wouldn't be a bad choice."
Codey was referring to former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean, a Republican. A recent poll indicated that Codey had the second-highest approval rating among living New Jersey governors.
Upon being contacted by POLITICO, Johnson stated: “Best I can say right now is that I have no comment.”
Johnson’s name appeared on a list of Democrats recommended by Bashaw — Kim’s Republican rival — to Gov. Murphy in case of a vacancy, which also included comedian Jon Stewart. In a statement on Tuesday, Bashaw reiterated his stance that Murphy should not appoint Kim.
"The governor should appoint a caretaker to this seat, as is the long-standing New Jersey tradition, and not give either candidate the advantage of incumbency in this election,” Bashaw urged.
If Murphy decides against appointing Kim, it would not be unprecedented for a governor to select a placeholder for a vacant Senate seat. Last year, California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed someone to fill the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s seat who did not intend to run for the position. Notably, this occurred while a contested Democratic primary was ongoing, not after a winner had emerged.
In 2013, following the death of New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg, former Republican Gov. Chris Christie appointed Jeffrey Chiesa, Christie’s attorney general, to the vacant Senate seat. Chiesa served nearly five months in the Senate, which is now occupied by Booker.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
