New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy announced Sunday that she is stepping down from the organization Democratic Senate primarylikely paving the way for Democratic Republican Andy Kim to secure the nomination.
“After many busy, invigorating and, yes, difficult months, I am ending my Senate campaign today,” Murphy said in a video posted on social media.
“I’ve been real and factual the whole time,” he said. “But it’s clear to me that continuing in this race would make for a very divisive and negative campaign, which I don’t want to do.”
“I make this decision because this campaign has never been about me. And right now, I know the best thing we can do for New Jersey is come together and focus on the real issues at hand.”
Murphy did not endorse Kim in the three-minute video.
Murphy and Kim, along with his wife, began campaigning for the Senate in the fall to replace Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez. faces federal charges of obstruction of justice and bribery.
The first defendants were announced in September and have since faced additional charges, bringing the total to 18. Both have denied any wrongdoing.
Menendez has not officially announced whether he will run for re-election he runs independently“I hope that my acquittal will take place this summer and allow me to continue running as an independent Democrat in the general election.”