it turns out those political rumors were true first lady Tammy Murphy today formally announced she's running in the 2024 Democratic US Senate primary the former Finance executive and wife of Governor Murphy is vying to replace indicted sitting Senator Bob Menendez in a video announcement released early this morning Murphy said she's running because New Jersey's kids and families deserve better touting her signature policy work on improving maternal and infant Health in New Jersey and her active role in the governor's Administration the announcement puts Murphy in a widening field of candidates who've been lining up to take mendez's seat following his second Federal corruption indictment if elected she'll be the first woman to represent New Jersey in the US Senate as senior correspondent Brensa Flanagan reports Murphy may now be the front runner in the race but not everyone in the party is welcoming the announcement with open arms I am so proud of everything we've accomplished but I know there's a lot more to do and that's why I'm announcing this I'm running for the United States Senate New Jersey's first lady Tammy Murphy officially launched her campaign for the seat now held by indicted Senator Bob Menendez who's embroiled in a corruption and bribery Scandal and hasn't said whether he'll seek reelection candidate Murphy said she wants to focus on big issues from gun violence and mass shootings to a warming planet that threatens our children's future to extreme politics policians who want to defund Planned Parenthood the 58-year-old Republican turned Democrat highlighted her family her record on promoting maternal health care and her work adding climate change to New Jersey School curriculum she did not mention Menendez by name but her video more than made the Point Washington is filled with too many people more interested in getting rich or getting on camera than getting things done for you that Drew a blistering response from Menendez he claimed the governor pushed him to resigned because Murphy had a personal vested interest in doing so they believe they have to answer to nobody but I'm confident that the people of New Jersey will push back against this blatant maneuver at disenfranchisement Menendez said Tammy Murphy will now have to address the family record New Jersey high taxes coid death tolls at state run vets homes and more Riders Michael Rasmussen warned he may not come out smelling like a rose he may not be the last man standing but he has the ability to inflict some damage she will have um some real baggage to um to answer for Murphy's announcement elicited a quick endorsement from Hudson County's Democratic organization Senator Dick Codey also praised her stating time and time again she's proven to be a leader with Integrity vision and passion she has the experience skills and values to represent New Jersey with honor and Excellence coming out they've lined up support absolutely Absolut and that is exactly what you would expect an incumbent Governor's operation to do um and those hits will keep on comment but Murphy's candidacy also Drew more push back today one Coalition noted liberal and Progressive Grassroots activists who do the work of the democratic party are incensed with the corruption and nepotism within the Democratic party these actions lead to dynasties for those in power you know families are important uh but I don't think they should be used booster chairs um to help people get a higher office Rutger's political scientist Ross Baker says Jersey's r with political family connections candidate Murphy can not only count on name recognition and family wealth but also ballot placement which can cinch a primary election my guess is that uh Governor Murphy her husband will work very hard to make sure that she is on the county line particularly in the big Democratic counties like hson uh middle sex Union that's certainly you know that gives a big boost to any candidate Murphy's primary opponents now face a formidable Democratic political machine North and South they include labor leader Patricia Campos Medina and Larry ham Who Will Champion familiar themes this is too wealthy a nation to have so many poor people too wealthy a nation to have so much economic inequality Congressman Andy Kim was the first Democrat to declare after Menendez refused to resign his Grassroots campaign's lowkey sincere honest with you like I did not plan for this but I just I think I just kind of hit a a breaking point he doesn't have much time candidates have just months to prepare for the June fifth primary I'm Brenda Flanigan NJ Spotlight News