NJ Gov. Murphy: Biden Win To Change COVID Response, 'Save Lives'

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy congratulated former Vice President Joe Biden after the major networks projected his win in the presidential election on Saturday, saying a change in the national response to the coronavirus will "save lives."

Murphy made the statement as car honks and celebrations were captured on social media in New Jersey on Saturday after Biden was declared president-elect by the major networks.

Murphy said the nation elected a president "who will lead with moral courage, personal conviction, and facts."

"It is no exaggeration to say that changing the way our country approaches this ongoing pandemic will save lives," Murphy said.

Biden will become the 46th U.S. president after unofficial election results in Pennsylvania, with 20 electoral votes, put him over the 270 electoral votes required to win the presidency, The Associated Press and other news organizations have projected.

Biden easily won New Jersey, leading by 18 percentage points with nearly all of the vote counted.

"Congratulations to President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris on a historic victory for our country," Murphy said. "This week the United States elected a president who will lead with moral courage, personal conviction, and facts.

Murphy also applauded Biden as he reluctantly reported 11 more deaths and 3,207 new cases on Saturday. It was the first time New Jersey had more than 3,000 cases since April 26th.

Trump, who first became famous largely because of the fame he garnered as a glamorous owner of Atlantic City casinos, has pushed back against economic shutdowns caused by the virus – a stance that's been met with strong resistance from the Murphy administration.

"I know President-elect Biden will work to bring this country together, and will work toward ensuring equal justice and opportunity for everyone," Murphy said.

Murphy initially praised the Trump administration for its handing of the pandemic, saying the White House was responsive to the governor's pleas for help. Murphy even dined with Trump at his golf club in Bedminster and subsequently secured many additional tests for the state.

But the relationship has been more strained lately, and the governor has taken the president to task for not focusing enough on containing the national outbreak and the emergence of the virus's second wave.

Murphy said he looks forward to working with the Biden-Harris administration on funding the Gateway Tunnel that would expand mass transit between New York and New Jersey; passing a stimulus bill with state and local aid; protecting and building on the Affordable Care Act; and restoring the state and local tax deduction.

"The Biden-Harris administration will be an incredible opportunity for New Jersey, and for our country, to finish much of our critical unfinished business," he said.

Other New Jerseyans shared the sentiment. US Sen. Cory Booker, who won re-election to a six-year term in the Senate, said the campaign "has been a long and difficult path. And it will continue as we face this pandemic."

"Our nation has struggled: the fabric of our larger American community is worn and torn, the collective challenges we face at home and abroad grow, and the foundations of our democracy are severely shaken and weakened," he said.

"But now, two leaders emerge victorious. I believe we have chosen the right leaders for the right time. I know them. They are kind and decent and loving. They will bring honor to their offices and lead our nation with strength and virtue. "

US Rep Josh Gottheimer, D-Bergen, echoed those statements, saying:

"Congratulations to President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris on their historic victory. Now is the time to come together as a country and work together to overcome COVID-19, make health care more affordable, stand by our veterans and first responders, lower our taxes, and remember that our diversity is our greatest strength."

Car horns and clanging bells could be heard in the cities and suburbs of New Jersey soon after the networks projected just before 12 noon. Here is Hoboken (courtesy of Caren Lissner):

Here's Jersey City:

And here's Hamilton Park:

Here were other reactions: