In a significant political upset in New Jersey, Democratic Representative Andy Kim has emerged victorious against the entrenched Democratic machine, signaling a major shift in the state's political landscape. Kim, who previously won a district that voted for Trump in both 2018 and 2020, faced off against Tammy Murphy in what has been described as the first real Democratic primary battle in the state since 2000. The victory is notable for several reasons, including Kim's lack of insider support and his ability to galvanize grassroots progressive movements. These movements have been particularly active since Trump's election, contributing to Kim's win. Tammy Murphy, the wife of New Jersey's Governor and a figure with significant backing from the state's political machines, suspended her campaign, further clearing the path for Kim. This development is seen as a humiliation for Murphy, who had secured crucial endorsements thanks to her position. Kim's win is not just a personal triumph but represents a potential transformation of New Jersey's political culture, challenging the power structures that have long dominated the state. His ongoing lawsuit against the county line system, which he continues to pursue despite standing to benefit from it, underscores his commitment to political reform. Kim's victory also marks him as the first Asian-American senator from New Jersey and highlights the significant role of grassroots movements in overcoming established political machines. Additionally, Kim's win makes him the first South Jersey Senator in a long time, further emphasizing the historic nature of his victory.
Update on @AndyKimNJ's lawsuit against the line: Attys for defendants (county clerks) say that @TammyMurphyNJ dropping out of Senate race "invalidates a large portion of the factual record in this case." Defendants want a case management conference ASAP. https://t.co/q01el1t5Qn
Andy Kim has already stunned New Jersey with his surging run for US Senate. Now he might turn the state’s entire political culture on its head. How his lawsuit over NJs ballot could reverberate well beyond this one race: https://t.co/famt3nha2C
I’m pumped for Andy Kim to be New Jersey’s next Senator! The contrast between him and the corrupt Bob Menendez couldn’t be stronger. Sometimes the people actually get the sort of leadership they want and deserve. 😀🙏🇺🇸 https://t.co/3M37BfmQLv
Andy Kim is a progressive, fundamentally decent South Jersey Democrat who just demolished every machine in the state to take a North Jersey Senate seat being handed out by nepotism…as a voter here, there’s no way to spin this as a negative
From me: Andy Kim's triumph over Tammy Murphy is not just a major upset. He may have transformed the political culture of an entire state, ending the structure that cements the party bosses' power in New Jersey. It's quite an achievement. https://t.co/w7ZH5Zkykr
Tammy Murphy’s exit widens the path for Democratic Rep. Andy Kim to secure the party nomination and replace indicted Sen. Bob Menendez. https://t.co/FQaSYQwHLa https://t.co/FQaSYQwHLa
Though she locked up a lot of public support from party leaders, New Jersey Democrats actually weren’t all that into the idea of giving the governor’s wife a Senate seat — and privately backed Andy Kim instead. https://t.co/SbEWDAF286
Message from @TammyMurphyNJ as she drops out of the NJ Senate race. I know the strength of Tammy’s character, as her husband was the US Ambassador to Germany when I served there. It’s unfortunate she’s leaving the arena, but she is selflessly doing it for the right reason. https://t.co/guRUM8SZnm
Andy Kim still wants to end New Jersey’s ballot design even as he stands to benefit from it https://t.co/hw0M6xQV8e
The humiliation of Tammy Murphy dropping out of the New Jersey Senate race today is hard to overstate. By virtue of being the Governor's wife, she had already preemptively secured the crucial "county line" endorsements of the state's main Democratic Party organizations -- Hudson,…
New Jersey First Lady Drops Out Of Race To Replace Dem Senator Under Federal Indictment https://t.co/eHF1PqUEqe
NJ Senate race producing more upsets than March Madness right now
NJ Rep. Kim will continue suit to end county line system after Murphy suspends campaign https://t.co/PKkd9c1zHm
Rep. Andy Kim, in his statement on Tammy Murphy dropping out, says Murphy "has been a voice for progress and public service," adding: "Unity is vital." https://t.co/Ff1bRCjDVM
New: Andy Kim stmt: Tammy Murphy has been a voice for progress and public service in our state, and I respect her decision to carry on that work as First Lady. Tammy and I both agree that it is critical that we keep this seat, and the Senate, in Democratic control.(1/x)
Well, my weekend column held up: Kim fully upended Jersey machine, as Murphy dropped out today. Kim would be 1st Asian-American senator from NJ & first South Jersey Senator in such a long time I don’t know who it was. Full story from @marianaa_alfaro https://t.co/K3VL1kCNcN https://t.co/MOmAN74aTd
How did Andy Kim beat the machine? https://t.co/8EbxE7v89k via @TPM
Senator @AndyKimNJ sounds good to me!!!! https://t.co/7XxsQdsZIG
Wow! Big news in the NJ Senate race https://t.co/JXmd8fsXOC
So it’s @AndyKimNJ for the Senate? https://t.co/6E7bHy8Xc9
This is an extremely rare thing in NJ: for a candidate with the backing of the biggest machines in the state to lose a primary. It’s a show of force by grassroots progressives activated ever since Trump’s election. They helped Kim win in 2018 and have helped him again.
Wow. Huge news. Congrats @AndyKimNJ on capturing the imagination of NJ voters that they could vote in someone they want and like! 😀🎉🇺🇸 https://t.co/s1bwEtcaHw
Amazing. Andy Kim jumped into this race without insider support - and he gets the payoff for having the guts to take a big risk. He captured massive grassroots energy and is now almost assuredly NJs next senator https://t.co/SfpN4bSDJ0
.@AndyKimNJ defeating a machine is some kind of political (or Star Wars) story.
Get used to saying Senator Andy Kim in New Jersey: https://t.co/ShaNzXBkiU
Meet the Dem who won a Trump district in 2018 & 2020 but now is an insurgent against the entrenched Dem machine in Jersey. This @AndyKimNJ vs @TammyMurphyNJ matchup is 1st real Dem primary battle since '00. It's all about the lines. My weekend column. https://t.co/5Z2zSYiNav
In New Jersey, an insurgent upends a Democratic machine https://t.co/bhb69yOxQy