Tammy Murphy, U.S. Senate candidate, could become the first-ever woman to represent the state of New Jersey in the nation’s most exclusive club. At least that’s what she’s working toward. Murphy, who plans to run in the June 2024 primary for the seat currently occupied by the twice indicted Senator Bob Menendez, attended a Town Hall Meeting at Second Baptist Church in Asbury Park which was sponsored by several Monmouth County Democratic organizations.
Asbury Park City Council member Angela Ahbez-Anderson says Murphy has been visiting all New Jersey communities and that she is “very happy” that Murphy is in Asbury Park. She says she respects and admires Murphy.
As Pastor Reverend Jackson and Deacon Danny Harris welcomed the visitors, Harris, who is also the Democratic District 3 Representative for the City, encouraged everyone not to leave without asking the questions they had for the first lady of New Jersey.
Democratic leader and Board of Education member Joe Grillo thanked everyone for coming out, recognizing Democrats from 9 Monmouth County municipalities, including Wall Township, Neptune Township, Neptune City, and Asbury Park.
The candidate addressed the crowd before fielding questions. Mrs. Murphy started by presenting the four areas she is most passionate about, areas where she has already had some achievements.
Mrs. Murphy is a 25-year Monmouth County resident and mother of four. “I am deeply concerned about the world we are handing over to our children,” she said. “We have to do everything we can to restore faith in our country or face losing our democracy.”
We have to do everything we can to restore faith in our country or face losing our democracy.
Tammy Snyder Murphy, candidate for Senate and First Lady of New Jersey
Her first concern is affordability, a broad topic, under which she included childcare, housing and college. Next she cited reproductive rights, quickly pointing out that those rights are safe for us at the state level “but we must deal with those rights on the federal level or pay a price.”
Her next priority is climate change. “New Jersey,” she told those gathered, “is the second most vulnerable state where climate is concerned – right after Florida. We have not been proactive where we should be.” She would work toward an overall master plan in all vulnerable areas, one created by the Army Corps of Engineers.
The candidate informed her audience that NJ is the only state teaching climate change. Not just as part of the science programs, but at every grade level, K-12, it is woven into the curriculum.
She also told the audience that the Green Economy is coming, and that our children are the adults who will have to understand. Like her husband, Mrs. Murphy is also a strong proponent of wind energy. She also shared that she is a founding member of Al Gore’s Environmental Board.
According to Mrs. Murphy, there have been 38 mass shootings in America already this year. Sharing that statistic brought her to the next point on her list: gun control. She would take on the NRA, she says. But she believes we have to “change the lens” meaning not just taking away guns, but also looking at guns and gun violence as a mental health issue.
Health has always been a concern for Mrs Murphy, who has worked since her husband first took office, to improve outcomes in the area of maternal/child healthcare. She has worked to help decrease the rate of infant mortality in the state, through the Nurture NJ initiative, and has seen 60 pieces of legislation pass in that area of healthcare alone.
She has worked to help decrease the rate of infant mortality in the state, through the Nurture NJ initiative, and has seen 60 pieces of legislation pass in that area of healthcare alone.
Tammy Snyder Murphy, candidate for Senate and First Lady of New Jersey
In answer to some questions, Mrs. Murphy said she was pro-union, identifying unions as “one of the many strengths off our state.” There were several questions about mental health. Mrs. Murphy is an advocate for training everyone to recognize mental health issues. Actually, she said mental health needs must be looked at in the same way the state has approached maternal/child healthcare issues. She believes a conversion therapy ban needs to be in place to protect every community.
Asbury Park City Councilwoman Amy Quinn applauded Second Baptist, on the City’s west side, as the host location for the Town Hall. She also acknowledged the Murphys’ participation in Asbury’s Gay Pride celebration over the years and reminded the audience that the first woman U.S. Senator could be right there among them.
On Saturday, February 10, Monmouth County Democrats held a convention at the Portuguese Club in Long Branch. The organization voted to create a slate for the upcoming November election. Andy Kim, who currently represents New Jersey’s District 3 in Congress, was endorsed by the Monmouth delegates in the upcoming election. Over the weekend, Tammy Murphy was endorsed by the Passaic County Democrats. The campaign for who will be the Democratic candidate for Senate is continuing throughout the State of New Jersey. The seat is currently held by Senator Robert Menendez, who has declined to resign despite being indicted on bribery and other offenses late last year.