Phil Murphy Elected to Replace Gov. Chris Christie in New Jersey

Democrat Phil Murphy has won the election to replace Chris Christie.

Murphy, a 60-year-old former Goldman Sachs executive who served as President Barack Obama’s ambassador to Germany but has never before held an elected office, campaigned on promises to raise income taxes for millionaires, increase funding for public schools and pensions and legalize marijuana.

"I’m truly honored and humbled to be the next Governor of New Jersey, especially knowing you are the reason why I am here,” Murphy said in an email to supporters after his win was announced. “Together, we can do this. I believe in you and all the people living in our great state -- and I promise I’ll always have your back.”

Thank you, New Jersey! We're ready to have your back in Trenton! #Muprhy4NJ #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/XoSswOYYKP

— Phil Murphy (@PhilMurphyNJ) November 8, 2017

His victory in New Jersey came as Virginia also picked a new governor, Democrat Ralph Northam. The results marked the first statewide Democratic wins during President Donald Trump’s administration after Democrats failed to win special congressional races earlier this year.

Murphy campaigned, in part, by promising to stand up to Trump, a Republican who lost New Jersey to Democrat Hillary Clinton last year. But he also focused on Chris Christie.

Those moves, combined with the nearly 900,000-voter registration advantage Democrats have over Republicans in New Jersey, and Murphy’s huge cash advantage had Guadagno running as an underdog in a state that she helped govern as Christie’s deputy for the past eight years.

Murphy was born and raised outside Boston. He is the youngest of four kids and he describes his parents as working poor. He attended Harvard University on a scholarship and earned an MBA from The University of Pennsylvania.

He started as an intern at Goldman Sachs in 1982, and met his wife Tammy there. He worked his way into top management, with stints in Germany and Hong Kong.

Murphy retired in 2003 at the age of 46, and began volunteering for projects tailored for a second career in politics. After raising money for President Obama’s 2008 campaign, he was rewarded with a plum job, ambassador to Germany.

“He speaks German fluently, so this is not your run of the mill ‘I wrote a big check so I get an ambassadorship’ as we have seen more recently,” said Howard Dean, who worked with him at the Democratic National Committee.

After announcing his candidacy, Murphy ran into problems early. There was disgust among Democrats that he donated about $466,000 to county committees and received their endorsements. But he convinced labor unions and progressive organizatons around the state to also endorse him early, cruising him to an easy primary victory.

He led Guadagno in polls by double digits from then on.