Assembly Member Carol Murphy To Run For Congress In NJ's 3rd District

SOUTH JERSEY — Carol Murphy, a Burlington County-based State Assembly member, announced Wednesday she will run for Congress.

Congressional elections are in 2024. More than a year out, the indictment of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) created a domino effect for politicians seeking higher office. Rep. Andy Kim — a fellow Democrat representing New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District — plans to run for Menendez's seat. Murphy, meanwhile, plans to run for Kim's current seat in the House of Representatives.

Murphy, a Democrat, has been in the State Assembly since 2018. She served as deputy majority leader from 2020-21 and as majority whip since last year.

With all State Legislature seats up for grabs this November, Murphy is still running for re-election. But Murphy also wanted an early jump on helping the Democratic Party obtain the House majority in the 2024 race.

"We have been fortunate to have Congressman Kim representing us," Murphy said in a statement, "and like him, I knew that timing was not ideal, but the stakes have never been higher. And, as a woman I know in the arena of politics and government, if I did not clearly state my intentions, there certainly would be others suggesting that I wait my turn."

Murphy says she's also "highly focused" on Democratic success in several competitive State Legislature districts. The party has won all State Legislature races in Murphy's district since 2017, when she was first elected.

If her Congressional run is successful, Murphy would become the first woman to represent South Jersey in the House of Representatives. New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District includes nearly all of Burlington County, plus portions of Mercer and Monmouth counties.

New Jersey's political picture for the 2024 races remains unclear, and much could hinge on Menendez's fate over the coming months. The senator and his wife were indicted Sept. 22 and accused of accepting bribes of gold bars, cash, and a car from three businessmen who sought Menendez's help and influence over foreign affairs.

Menendez has pleaded not guilty and said the cash found in the house was personal savings he had squirreled away for emergencies. He has also refused calls to step down, which have been coming from other top Democrats in New Jersey and in the Senate.

Menendez's tentative trial date is May 6 — one month before New Jersey's June 4 primary. An attorney for the government gave the judge an estimate of four to six weeks, per the Associated Press. Read more: Menendez Criminal Trial Scheduled: What's Next For Accused NJ Senator

A day after Menendez's indictment, Kim announced a run for his Senate seat.

"Not something I expected to do, but NJ deserves better," Kim said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "We cannot jeopardize the Senate or compromise our integrity."

Kim was first elected to the Congressional seat in 2018.