Murphy Narrowly Wins Reelection as New Jersey’s Governor
TRENTON, N.J. —The nail biter is over. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has been elected to a second term in the state’s highest office.
As of Thursday morning, the Democratic incumbent was leading Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli by 37,293 votes, with 91% of the state’s election precincts reporting.
“You know, we just had the most ‘New Jersey’ experience,” Murphy said during a speech to supporters in Asbury Park, New Jersey, late Wednesday night.
“I was on my way someplace, and it took us longer to get there than we planned,” he quipped.
Democrats had long expected to win the New Jersey race in a walk, but it became unexpectedly tight despite continued encouraging polls.
Ciattarelli has not yet conceded the race. In a statement his campaign said, “With the candidates separated by a fraction of a percent out of 2.4 million ballots cast, it’s irresponsible of the media to make this call when the New Jersey Secretary of State doesn’t even know how many ballots are left to be counted.”
New Jersey does not have an automatic recount law but the candidates are permitted to request one.
Anyone that wants a recount must file a suit in State Superior Court in the counties where they want to contest tallies. That has to be done within 17 days of Election Day.
Regardless of what lies ahead in coming days, Murphy said he wants to be the governor of “all of New Jersey.”
“You must listen to all of New Jersey. And New Jersey, I hear you,” Murphy said.
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