The Murphy win is HUGE but you won't hear that-New Jersey's first to win re-election in 44 years

[malaise]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/nov/03/phil-murphy-new-jersey-governor-win-reelection

The Democratic governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, has narrowly won reelection, eking out a victory that spared Democrats the loss of a second gubernatorial seat.

Murphy, a former executive at Goldman Sachs and ambassador to Germany, became the first Democratic governor to win reelection in New Jersey in 44 years. He defeated Jack Ciattarelli, a Republican and former assembly member.

Murphy won following a tight race that was widely viewed as a referendum on the Democrat’s leadership throughout the pandemic. The governor issued stringent health orders to slow the spread of Covid-19, and has earned high marks from constituents for his leadership. He was one of the first governors to require Covid-19 vaccinations for public school teachers.

[msongs]

1. have heard a massive collapse in dems turnout made this so close like in VA nt

[AdamGG]

30. Unfortunately, the Democratic base often has lower turnout in off year elections

That's how Scott Brown got elected to the Senate in very blue Massachusetts. Hopefully, we can do a better job of GOTV in the midterms.

[mcar]

2. The MSM is, in no small part, responsible for VA's results

I didn't know this about NJ until I saw it on Twitter a short while ago. MSM was so fixated on VA and on drumming up a win for the Rs, that they ignored every other race.

VA's results sucked, but all in all, it wasn't a bad night for us. We won many races.

[Cha]

19. Aloha, mcar.. nice positive post!

Here's some Florida great news.. my nephew and his fiance' live in St Pete!

Link to tweet

Democrat Ken Welch has declared victory in open mayoral race for St. Petersburg, FL.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216008774#top

[Sunsky]

41. My mom lives in district 20.

She booked her appointment with me to be certain she'll have someone to take her to the polls to vote early for Mayor Holness She now tells everyone that her vote is in the 9 votes Holness is leading by currently
On another note, I was very upset that the Sheila team was allowed to bring a huge scrolling billboard with loudspeakers at the parking lot directly in front of the supervisor of elections office in Lauderhill (one of the main early voting centers in Broward and especially in that district). It may have not violated the distance requirement but it could not be missed by anyone attempting to vote at that location. It may have been legal but rubbed me the wrong way. I haven't seen that tactic employed here before.

[Ocelot II]

3. Because we're too busy gnashing our teeth and rending our garments over VA.

The fact that there were a number of Democratic wins all over the country seems to have escaped the attention of the media, as well as many on DU, because OMG, look at Virginia, we're doomed, doomed!

[crimycarny]

7. Yep--and that's why we suck at messaging

We do it to ourselves when we rend and gnash our teeth over a loss versus yelling to the treetops about the wins. Why play into the media's hands?

This is a sort of crude comparison but the best response I've seen to the "Let's Go Brandon" crap is "Brandon kicked Trump's *ss". Turn it on its head and throw it right back at them.

[malaise]

9. Yep

Sure looks that way

[ismnotwasm]

13. Yup.

[Lovie777]

4. Yay . . .

What was the final numbers and has the GQP claimed fraud yet?

[malaise]

10. Will post the numbers when I find them

[WaterSong1951]

5. Jersey Woman Here

I think dems sat this out because of the polls showing Governor Murphy ahead- lots of votes for the republican candidate occurred in South Jersey or orange turd land - lessons have to be learned: never assume victory

[malaise]

6. Thanks

and welcome to DU

[crimycarny]

8. I'm wondering the demographic break down as far as age goes

We need to get the youth vote energized to vote. It seems it's often it's the 18-24 who don't show up and vote in midterms or non-Presidential elections. Get them motivated to vote in ALL elections and that might give us the edge we need.

[WaterSong1951]

12. Have to get back to you

Right now any recount would have to be paid by the opposition or the winner according to CNN- breakdowns of votes are to come

[peggysue2]

31. I think you're right

Showing consistent wide leads can work to a candidate's detriment. I vaguely recall a presidential election where that proved to be the case! And this was an off-year.

And quite right for the OP to point out the historical significance of Murphy's victory.

First time in 44 years??

Not too shabby. As for the margin?

A win is a win. Just ask the GOP.

As for South Jersey, I was surprised by Gloucester Co. I lived there for over 20 years, raised my kids there. It was Blue back in the day. At least my native county, Burlington, went for Murphy.

[ramapo]

34. Anti-maskers very motivated

Jack pledged to do away with mask and vaccine mandates. He brought out the very motivated anti-vax/mask/shutdown voters. Then there is always the property tax issue and Phil made a dumb remark that Jack ran with. And then people just can’t be bothered to vote. That was about it.

[gldstwmn]

11. People need to get a grip. Biden's presidency is only 9 months old.

McAuliffe is not a good campaigner and made a terrible blunder by voicing a thought he should have kept to himself. I do think the Afghanistan withdrawal and BBB getting stuck did not help. The anybody but Trump crowd went back to voting for Republicans. Yes there are lessons to learn here but we'll figure those out. Congratulations to Governor Murphy.

[Mary in S. Carolina]

14. Great Post

[Cha]

15. Someone had a post

about it in LBN & I've been passing it around.. Thank you for making it an OP!

It's a BFD!


https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=2821859

[malaise]

17. Yes it is sis

Thanks for your link

[Cha]

21. YW! I smiled big when

I saw your OP!

[malaise]

23. There is too much doom and gloom here at DU

This was a BFD!

[UTUSN]

16. K&R

[roamer65]

20. Yup.

All the MSM is pumping is this Youngkin asshole.

[Cha]

22. UP to their Usual

Manufacturing and Manipulating the "news".. I hate them.

Cut them Off in Nov 2002.

[roamer65]

26. +1000

It’s nauseating. I hardly ever watch American “news” channels, but even CNN’s website was poison last night.

[malaise]

43. Funny how long they took to declare Murphy the winner

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

[JustAnotherGen]

25. This!

Even in the NJ Group - no joy. Just Debbie downer posts!

I'm thrilled!


And tired.

But meetings for next years elections start this Sunday! We beat on!

[malaise]

27. You go girl

Sick of the Debbie Downer posts - fight on!

[bucolic_frolic]

29. In a state of perverse, sarcastic cynics it's hard to get re-elected

Phil Murphy survived because of his progressive first term!

[Uncle Joe]

32. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread malaise.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

33. For your consideration regarding the normal ebb and flow in U.S. politics:

Link to tweet

[malaise]

44. She gave them all a dose of reality

They are truly shameless

[Drunken Irishman]

35. This is such a silly stat.

He's only the third Democratic New Jersey governor to run for a second term in that span (not counting Brendan Byrne).

Brendan Byrne won reelection in 1977 - and was not eligible to run in 1981 as New Jersey does not allow for a governor to serve more than two consecutive terms.

So, in 1981, Thomas Kean, the Republican won.

In 1985, Thomas Kean won reelection.

In 1989, James Florio, the Democrat, won.

In 1993, Florio barely lost to Christine Todd Whitman.

In 1997, Christine Todd Whitman was reelected.

In 2001, Jim McGreevey, the Democrat, won.

In 2004, McGreevey resigned after announcing he was gay and had been having an affair. He was replaced by Richard Codey.

In 2005, Richard Codey decided to not run for a term of his own. Instead, Jon Corzine, the senator from New Jersey, ran - and won.

In 2009, Jon Corzine lost reelection to Chris Christie.

In 2013, Christie won reelection.

So, in 44 years, just two governors have lost reelection: Florio and Corzine. Florio lost in 1993 - so, nearly 30 years ago.

The stat is a silly one.

[Cha]

36. Kick for Murphy's Historic WIN!

[malaise]

37. Turned on Morning Joe - Murphy's win didn't make the opening shit

Switched to the cricket world cup

[Sunsky]

39. I never knew this

Good job Murphy and NJ Dems! Congrats!

[FBaggins]

40. Appreciate the effort - but there's no way to spin NJ as good news

For goodness sake… the longest-serving senate president appears to have lost and he was essentially running unopposed.

The results were outside the margin of error of all but one (red-leaning) poll. We dramatically underperformed expectations. We can’t spin it as over performing

[Champp]

42. the R spin in corporate media has been wicked foul

Spin spin spin (R)

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

45. The MSM is downplaying his win, as his margin of victory continues

to grow.

[malaise]

46. If M$Greedia gave a duck about democracy

their focus would be the fact that persons involved in a coup that failed won elections.

[malaise]

47. If M$Greedia gave a duck about democracy

their focus would be the fact that persons involved in a coup that failed won elections.

[Drunken Irishman]

48. His MOV is not growing much.

That margin is only 1.5. It will grow but not by much and will come in well below what the polls were suggesting.

[Cha]

50. The M$$$M is Missing the

the Big REAL Story as Usual..

Gov Murphy is the only Democrat Gov to WIN a 2nd Term since 1977!

[BeckyDem]

49. Truth!

He did a great job and often governed more progressively than many thought he would.