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>> Tammy for Senate.

The first lady of New Jersey officially launches her run, looking to unseat the state's indicted senior senator.

>> I'm running for the United States Senate because we owe it to our a growing Kim was first to announce.

>> A poll came out today that had me up over the first lady, so I feel like we are continuing to be in a strong position.

>> Plus, deplorable conditions at Stanley's home village leads for Republican Jeff Van Drew to call for a public takeover.

>> Out of a score of 100, they received 45.

That is an F. They completely failed on substantially important things.

>> And league of municipalities.

No, it is not a marble movie -- Marvel movie.

>> It is a rare combination of hard muscle work of local government coupled with the political rumblings of what may happen.

Quickly Who's Who of local and national governments gather in Atlantic City for the state's biggest political event of the year.

"NJ Spotlight News" begins right now.

♪ >> From NJ PBS Studios, this is "NJ Spotlight News."

>> Good evening and thanks for joining us this Wednesday night.

It turns out those political rumors were true.

First lady Tammy Murphy today formerly -- formally announced she is running in the 2024 Democratic U.S. Senate primary.

The former finance executive and wife of Governor Murphy is by into think -- volume -- vying to replace Bob Menendez.

She touted her signature policy work on improving maternal and infant health in New Jersey and her active role in the governor's administration.

The announcement puts Murphy in a widening field of candidates who have been lining up to take Menendez's seat following his second federal corruption indictment.

If elected, she will be the first woman to New Jersey in the U.S. Senate.

Our Senior correspondent reports Murphy may not be the front runner in the race, but not everyone in the party is welcoming the announcement with open arms.

>> I am so proud of everything we have accomplished, but I know there's a lot more to do, and that's why I'm announcing this.

I'm running for the United States Senate.

>> New Jersey's first lady officially launched her campaign for the seat now held by indicted Senator Bob Menendez, who is embroiled in a corruption and bribery scandal and has not said if he will seek reelection.

Candidate Murphy said she wants to focus on big issues.

>> Gun violence and mass shootings to a warming planet that threatens our children's future, to extreme politicians who want to defund Planned Parenthood.

>> The Republican turned Democrat highlighted her family, her record on promoting maternal health care, and her work adding climate change to New Jersey's school curriculum.

She did not mention Menendez by name, but her video more than made the point.

>> Washington is filled with too many people more interested in getting rich or getting on camera than getting things done for you.

>> That drew a blistering response from Menendez.

He claimed governor pushed him to resign because Murphy had a personal vested interest in doing so.

They believe they have to answer to nobody, but I'm confident the people of New Jersey will push back against this blatant maneuver at disenfranchisement.

Menendez said Tammy Murphy will now have to address the family record.

New Jersey's high taxes, Covid death toll's, and more.

>> He may not come out smelling like a rose.

He may not be the last one standing, but he has been able to inflict some damage, and she will have some real baggage to answer for.

>> Murphy's announcement elicited a quick endorsement from Hudson County's Democratic organization.

Senator Dare County also praised her, saying she has proven to be a leader with integrity and vision.

She has the skill and values to represent New Jersey with honor and excellence.

>> They have lined up to support her.

>> Exactly, and that is what you would expect an incumbent governor's operation to do and those hits will keep on coming.

>> But Murphy's candid -- candidacy also drew criticism today.

>> Families are important, but I don't think they should be used as booster chairs to help people get to higher office.

>> Rutgers political scientist Russ Baker says jersey is rife with political family connections.

Candidate Murphy cannot only count on name recognition and family wealth but also ballot placement, which can send her primary election.

>> My guess is Governor Murphy or her husband will work very hard to make sure that she is over the county line, particularly in the big counties , and that gives a big boost to any candidate.

>> Murphy's primary opponents now face a formidable Democratic machine.

>> This is too wealthy a nation to have so many poor people, to wealthy and nation to have so much economic inequality.

>> Congressman Andy Kim was the first Democrat to declare after Menendez refused to resign.

His grassroots campaigns low, sincere.

>> I did not plan for this, but I think I kind of hit a breaking point.

>> He doesn't have much time.

Candidates have just months to prepare for the June 5 primary.

>> Tammy Murphy will join David Cruz tomorrow night in her first TV interview since announcing her U.S. Senate run.

Make sure you check it out Thursday at 6:00 p.m..

It looks like the first lady's top opponent is Democratic Congressman Andy Kim, who said he joined the race because he wants to restore trust in government and was angered by Senator Menendez's refusal to step down.

The former Rhodes Scholar and Obama administration staff or early support from progressives but not the party power, making this race a test of New Jersey's Democratic regime.

Congressman Andy Kim joins me now.

It is good to see you.

While this is really becoming a crowded field for this Senate race, just your reaction first off on the first lady's bid today.

>> Anyone is allowed to jump in and run.

Right now I feel like we are still in the strongest position.

And Paul came out today and had me up 19 points over the first lady, 13 points over the senator -- a poll came out today.

I believe we are in a good position.

>> You were first out of the gate to denounce Senator Menendez, to put your bid in in terms of wanting to run.

Of course, Larry Hamm also had declared a candidacy, but also with fundraising, where does that stand?

We know the first lady is a pretty prolific fundraiser.

How did the numbers look for you right now?

>> Really strong.

As you pointed out, we raised about a $1 million the first week of the campaign.

We will continue to go strong.

As someone who has won three of the toughest races in New Jersey history, a Democrat that won district that Trump won, I have been able to raise well over $20 million in the last few years.

I'm going to be armed to the teeth.

We are going to have the resources we need to be able to get the message out all across the state.

>> So you are battle tested?

>> Correct.

That is a good way to say it.

We are battle tested.

I'm going up against three strata self-funders in three consecutive races.

I know what it is like to go up against someone who has a lot of resources.

We feel ready for this.

The main thing is that this needs to be a choice for people of New Jersey.

>> You have said that you want to end the county organization political line system which gives folks who have that backing an advantage when it comes to the primary ballot.

Do you see your run as a test of the political establishment, the Democratic political establishment in New Jersey?

>> what I have been talking about, and this is well before I even thought about running for United States Senate, is about how we make a democracy that is more inviting, more accessible, more engaging to the regular American.

That is something that I think is important.

I have thoughts about ballot designs but also campaign-finance reform and things like that.

I do think there's a lot of the Democratic Party, and our politics at large needs to be thinking about in terms of making that more accessible.

>> Will you or are you seeking the line in your candidacy?

>> I'm doing everything I can.

As you said earlier, I am battle tested.

I know what it takes to win.

I'm meeting with leaders all across the state, telling them what I think I'm the strongest candidate, not just in the primary but especially in the general election.

I can be not only guaranteeing this victory at the Senate level, but I can help with candidates and races up and down the ballot.

>> you are back in New Jersey today after a pretty interesting vote in the house.

It appears in a way will be a government shutdown averted.

How difficult was it to get that bipartisanship on the house floor to pass a temporary spending bill?

>> We have had a tremendous amount of chaos over the last two months in Congress.

It has been really difficult to be able to have any semblance of normalcy in terms of what comes next.

I have a lot of colleagues that simply don't want the government to be able to continue.

They are looking for ways to shut it down.

Thankfully, we were able to get an ability to push forward on a piece of legislation that will push that off into the new year, be able to keep our lights on through the rest of this year, but we still have not solved this problem.

>> Thank you, Congressman, for your time.

>> Thanks for having me.

>> Senator Menendez's indictment also put a target on the congressional seat currently held by his son, Rob Menendez casting doubt over his political future.

This week, the list of candidates throwing their hat in the ring to replace him also expended.

Our Senior correspondent reports this election will also be a battle over accusations of nepotism and the use of the party machine.

>> we have people jumping into this race because they essentially see the powerbroker wounded and so it's underling in a way be included as well.

Quickly wounded powerbroker, that would be U.S.

Senator Bob Menendez, who -- whose son is facing a primary challenge for his seat.

By the very challenger who just a few weeks ago was going after the Menendez Senate seat.

>> I was really disappointed a couple years ago when the sea became available and I was actually planning on running for it for about five minutes, and I found out that the seat had already been given to Robert Menendez.

I see an opportunity to potentially correct that and to give the voters who I feel are disenfranchised a real choice in this election.

>> We hear a lot often from political newcomers.

Those familiar with the Hudson County Democratic organization no better.

>> Two people put themselves before the voters and the people decide on the better candidate, and that's a very idealized version that is not reflected at all in how politics operates.

>> but it is likely to not be politics as usual because the mayor of Hoboken looks poised to jump in this race.

He told us he is still in the exploratory phase, but his entry could turn the political regime and the Hudson County party line on its head.

>> he is not a declared candidate yet, but clearly, he is running until somebody says otherwise.

You rarely get a contested primary at these things.

>> The founder of Hudson County view says name recognition and strong fundraising efforts from the gate makes things fun, and let different than the office by appointment primaries that led former Congressman to their victories.

>> usually, the incumbent just runs against some guy off the street, if that.

In this kind of race when you have at least two candidates that will be able to raise over $1 million, you will probably get double debates.

You will get a lot of scrapping online.

It is a totally different dynamic.

They really like to avoid contested primaries.

That's not going to happen this time.

>> The mayor doesn't stand a good chance given that it has been reported that he does have some fundraising backing behind him, and that will at least make the machine sweat because they will have to deploy their resources.

>> But the district is heavily Latino and loyal to the Menendez name.

In a statement, Congressman Robert Menendez said voters -- voters across the district no our record and trust that we are committed to improving their lives, touting accomplishments like bringing billions of dollars of infrastructure funds and addressing quality-of-life issues.

SAR points out that a real threat to Menendez would be -- >> Somebody up Hispanic descent.

Maybe a woman of Hispanic descent.

I think that Robert Menendez will have a very difficult race, a much more difficult race in front of him.

>> for now, political insiders are grabbing their popcorn, ready for what could be a political throwdown.

>> Residents and Atlantic City public housing unit say they are still living in deplorable conditions more than a year after going to court with their complaints.

A recent government audit slammed Housing Authority for dozens of violations, calling it a total failure.

Now South Jersey Congressman Jeff Van Drew is calling for a federal takeover of the authority.

We were on scene today as residents rallied, demanding urgent action.

>> Every time we have tried to voice our opinions, they are telling us to calm down.

We got to talk to them nice.

I'm tired of talking to them nice.

They don't respect us.

>> They is the Atlantic City Housing Authority, a group that has come under fire as residents around AC say their homes have been neglected.

Quickly ceiling caved in in my home.

I had mildew.

I had mold.

The floors were separating from the steps.

My children were getting locked in the unit.

For the past year, they don't have a maintenance man, and every time I call, my sink is falling down in my bathroom.

I have called several times about it, and they say they don't have a maintenance man.

>> There's a lot of us out here that are homeless because of what they have done to us.

We cannot live in the units, but we don't have nowhere to go.

>> my granddaughter has been in and at the hospital with asthma, and I believe it is because of the mold that is in the house, and they painted over it.

They did not remove it or anything.

They just painted over it.

>> people who live in these units spoke outside of City Hall today hoping that more people here that her complaints about the public housing complex.

>> We have to have our own press conference to tell our story.

What has been going on here been going on for years and it's been staying locally.

>> And frustrated.

I'm angry.

I'm mad, and I'm not going to hide the fact that I am mad.

I blame the government, too.

>> It is supposed to be safe.

It is supposed to be clean.

The most essential things in life are being able to take a hot shower, able to have hot water.

>> Last year, Congressman Jeff Van Drew got involved in the ongoing dispute.

We reported on complaints from residents who say they are lucky to have heat and hot water on a given day.

HUD findings became public last week.

>> Out of a score of 100, they received a 45.

That is an F. They completely failed on substantially important things.

These are not cosmetic issues.

>> On Monday, Andrew sent a letter to the HUD secretary asking for a federal takeover of Stanley Holmes, saying the community holds no confidence in the authority's abilities or intentions.

We did not receive a response from the a CHA -- from the acha, but they told the press neither he nor his office contacted them before issuing the statement and said the challenges did not start with the board but resulted from a long history of prior failures well before the current board was in place.

>> Hudson's people help initiate contracts with individuals that will be able to restore these facilities so at least they are livable.

>> I want them to take over and do something.

Make our living conditions much better.

>> Until that happens, expect these residents to continue bringing attention to the issues they are having with their homes in Atlantic City.

>> In our spotlight on business report tonight, New Jersey is on the verge of having another billion-dollar business, caching in on legal pot sales.

According to Nace -- new state figures, the legal cannabis market sold more than $734 million worth a product between July 2022 and June 2023.

The state's cannabis regulatory commission says the bulk of those samples -- sales came from recreational marijuana customers.

In turn, sales for the medical market are headed in the opposite direction, dropping by 44% since adult sales began in April 2022.

The pace, though, up the industry's growth had been a worry for some inside the market who argued the state was dragging its feet approving new dispensaries to open.

It took nearly a year for 20 dispensaries to get off the ground, but since then, dozens more licenses have been awarded and locations are now in 18 counties throughout the state.

On Wall Street, stocks rallied again today after more encouraging inflation data.

Here is today's closing trading numbers.

>> support for the business report is provided by Junior achievement of New Jersey, providing students the skills and knowledge to explore, choose, and advanced their career paths for a bright future.

Online at janj.org.

New Jersey tourism Association will host a conference on tourism November 30th through 31st.

Njtia.org for event information.

And Rowan University, educating New Jersey leaders, partnering with New Jersey businesses, transforming New Jersey's future.

>> You will likely get an out of office reply from many of your local leaders this week.

Most politicians are making an appearance at the annual league of municipalities conference in Atlantic City.

The convention is considered the networking event to attend if you want to see and be seen in New Jersey government.

This year, it is playing out against the backdrop of upcoming critical elections.

>> The league of municipalities boss is a man in perpetual motion this week.

The league of municipalities annual conference, this is the 108th, attracts thousands.

This year, more than 15,000, people from city clerks to zoning officers to, yes, want to be governors who were here aplenty.

>> We just got one election where we have a lame duck in front of us and there's a governors race in two years.

His is a rare combination of the hard muscle work of local government coupled with the political rumblings of what may happen.

>> Just a stroll casually around the convention center and you will run into candidates past, present, and future, most with a plan on how to maximize their time here.

>> Just networking here.

There's a lot of people you don't get a chance to see from a geographic standpoint because we are all the way up north and they might be in South Jersey, and this is an opportunity to get together, talk about the campaign and what we are doing in Jersey City.

Quite how much thinking have you been doing?

>> I have not really had enough time to think about it because as we sit here today, it is one week post election.

I need to sit with the team and party leadership to see if I'm someone they even want to be a state candidate.

I'm a party got, so I want to sit down with the party and see what they want to go.

>> We got more votes than any Republican gubernatorial candidate, second only to Tom Kane's 1985 reelection campaign.

I would like to thank those people who voted for me again because I will not take them for granted.

We know we need to pick up another 100,000 votes to make a difference.

>> One guy who seems to have read of his mind on the matter is Senator John Bromley, who is prowling the halls and greeting Democrats as much as Republicans.

He is expected to announce his campaign officially soon--ish.

Do you come in with an agenda?

Do you have a plan of what you're going to do over the next two or three days?

>> I do.

I'm not going to discuss that right now with you, but I have a very specific plan.

I will let you know in the next couple of months what I did down here to see if it worked.

>> we are going to have to wait a couple of months to learn what you did down here?

>> This is a top-secret plan.

A lot of statewide thoughts.

>> There's also a work related to government services here.

Some of these people have to get recertified for their government positions, but, yeah, there's a lot of cocktail receptions and networking events that take place after hours off-campus, but even there, you are never far from someone who is thinking about running for something.

>> Quite frankly, this is where you come to network and cultivate and hopefully bring back ideas that will innovate your city, in addition to cultivating and networking for ideas for your city, might someone who is looking to run for Congress or something come to something like this to network for that?

>> It is an ideal opportunity for anyone who aspires for higher office to come and meet individuals from other municipalities.

>> the big news this year is the announcement that Tammy Murphy is running for U.S. Senate.

She was not stalking the hallways this week, although she is likely to be here tomorrow when the governor, her husband, is scheduled to make a speech.

Chances are he may get upstaged.

>> That is going to do it for us tonight, but don't forget to download the "NJ Spotlight News" podcast so you can listen any time.

Thanks for being with us.

We will see you right back here tomorrow.

>> NJn insurance group, serving the needs of New Jersey businesses for more than 100 years and by the pscg foundation.