Gov. Phil Murphy has endorsed Indian American Raj Mukherji for a State Senate seat, giving the five-term assemblyman an endorsement less than one day after a new legislative redistricting map created a new open seat in Hudson County.
“Raj represents a new generation of leadership and I know the people of Jersey City and Hoboken have no better representative, which is why I enthusiastically endorse his candidacy for State Senate,” said Murphy.
The newly-drawn 32nd district includes part of Jersey City and Hoboken, with an open Senate seat that became available after the new map pitted two veteran Democratic senators, Nicholas Sacco (D-North Bergen) and Brian Stack (D-Union City), into the primary in the next-door 33rd district.
Mukherji, a five-term legislator and chairman of the Assembly Judiciary Committee, appears to have quickly locked up Democratic party support for a Senate bid. Just two hours after the final map was approved, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and Stack announced their endorsements of Mukherji.
“Over the past eight years, Raj Mukherji has been a tireless fighter for the people of Hudson County, representing some of the most diverse communities in our state,” Murphy said. “Whether as a job-creating CEO, Deputy Mayor of his beloved Jersey City, local prosecutor, or as a prolific lawmaker, Raj has excelled and championed progressive values and helped shape a stronger and fairer New Jersey.”
Murphy praised Mukherji’s legislative accomplishments during more than eight years in Trenton, where he served as Assembly Majority Whip before taking over the Judiciary chairmanship in 2020.
“From investing in mass transit to expanding Medicaid to cover essential healthcare needs to increasing funding for our public schools to protecting open spaces, Raj has been an ally of mine in the Assembly and will no doubt continue building on his strong record of progress in the Senate,” the governor said.
The first election under the new map is in 2023.
