New Jerseyans,

Decency, inclusion, and fairness. These are the values that matter to hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans, which is exactly what Tammy and I heard over and over as we crisscrossed all 21 counties.

And last night, our state voted for those values, sending the biggest Democratic delegation to Washington since the Watergate Era. I want to congratulate Mikie Sherrill, Jeff Van Drew, and Tom Malinowski on their victories, which helped flip the House. They will work to protect our New Jersey values with the other tremendous voices in our delegation — Frank Pallone, Bill Pascrell, Albio Sires, Donald Payne Jr., Donald Norcross, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Josh Gottheimer.

And despite the greatest onslaught in our political history, Senator Bob Menendez handily won re-election and will continue to stand up for us in the Senate alongside Senator Cory Booker.

Andy Kim’s race remains too close to call. We’re going to have to wait a few more days but I remain hopeful that he’ll prevail, and want to remind you that this district wasn’t even competitive in the last cycle. In addition, I want to thank Josh Welle for running a fantastic race. He had the biggest hill to climb in all of New Jersey and did more than anyone expected, and I can’t wait to see what he does next.

This big night was made possible through the efforts of our grassroots volunteers, our historic investment through the Democratic State Committee, and local and county party infrastructure all across the state — in traditionally red areas, as well as the traditionally blue.

The successes of 2018 began with the campaign in 2017. We built on that success by helping to recruit and train candidates, and coordinating efforts across our congressional campaigns. We ran the largest GOTV operation in New Jersey history. Because of this effort, we have elected Democrats where, not very long ago, no one thought it would be possible, both to Congress and the local level.  We stand committed to building an energized and engaged Democratic Party, community by community, and from the grassroots up. 

Next year will bring a new election cycle and another chance for us to further prove how much we value our New Jersey values. That work begins today. I will work, as I have done across the past 11 months, to make New Jersey an example for sound, progressive change that benefits everyone who calls this great state home. New Jersey proclaimed loudly and clearly that we are better than the politics of hate and division coming from Washington.

That’s the change New Jerseyans voted for, and it’s the change we must deliver.

Thank you for all that you do.

Governor Murphy