TRENTON, N.J. — Governor Phil Murphy addressed the media Monday following the 2024 election, acknowledging closer margins in key races and outlining his administration’s approach to working with President Trump’s incoming administration. Murphy also reflected on lessons learned from the election and emphasized his commitment to protecting New Jersey’s core values.
Murphy noted that Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz won New Jersey by approximately five points in the presidential election, a significant drop from President Biden’s 17-point margin in 2020. “It’s hard not to be sober about that and reflect,” Murphy said, pointing to economic issues, immigration, and crime as factors driving voter behavior.
While expressing disappointment with the overall Democratic performance, Murphy highlighted successes in down-ballot races in New Jersey, including wins in traditionally Republican-leaning areas. “We had a lot of success down-ballot, even in some tough races,” he said, citing victories in counties where former President Trump outperformed the Democratic ticket at the top of the ballot.
Murphy reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to both collaborate with and oppose the Trump administration, as it did during Trump’s first term. “If there is any attack on the Garden State or on any of its communities from Washington, I will fight back with every fiber of my being,” Murphy said. He added that his administration would also seize opportunities for bipartisan cooperation, citing past collaboration on infrastructure projects like the Portal North Bridge and pandemic resources.
Regarding immigration, Murphy promised to fiercely defend immigrant communities, including using legal and other measures to counter potential mass deportations or policies that threaten New Jersey residents. “If it’s contrary to our values, we will fight to the death,” Murphy said, while also stressing the need for comprehensive immigration reform.
Murphy concluded by encouraging the Democratic Party to reflect on its messaging and policy priorities. “We can’t take any community for granted,” he said, highlighting the need to better communicate the party’s values to voters across racial and socioeconomic lines.