Democrat Phil Murphy was elected governor of New Jersey on Tuesday, CNN and MSNBC projected, sweeping to victory in the race to succeed unpopular Republican Governor Chris Christie on a liberal agenda that included a $15 minimum wage and increased school funding.
Murphy, a former investment banker and ambassador to Germany, beat Republican Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, who was hampered by her association with Christie and lagged in fundraising. A one-time presidential candidate, Christie has hit record-low approval ratings as he closes out his eight-year tenure in the Democratic-leaning state.
Murphy says his party's victory sends a message to President Donald Trump that the county is “better” than his politics of division.
Murphy invoked the Republican President by name during his roughly 15-minute victory speech, delivered in the same spot as GOP Governor Chris Christie in 2013 after he won big over his Democratic rival.
Murphy looked headed to a double digit win Tuesday evening.
Reuters/AP
