Democrat Phil Murphy defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno on Tuesday in the race to succeed Gov. Chris Christie.
But who is Phil Murphy? Here are five things you should know about New Jersey’s new governor-elect.
1. Murphy has never held elected office.
The 60-year-old businessman has deep political ties, having served as President Barack Obama's ambassador to Germany, but has never held office before. He ran on the platform that “insider politics has failed us,” as stated on his campaign website.
2. He is a former Goldman Sachs executive.
Murphy is former Goldman Sachs executive with a lot of personal wealth, which allowed him to lend at least $10 million of his own money to his campaign. Murphy is also a longtime political donor. An analysis from NJ.com suggests Murphy donated over $1 million to New Jersey Democratic organizations and candidates since 2001.
3. Murphy has promised to increase taxes for millionaires and legalize marijuana.
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Murphy has promised to raise income taxes on millionaires, increase funding for public schools and pensions and legalize marijuana. Murphy also campaigned in part by promising to stand up to Trump and relentlessly linked Guadagno to Christie.
4. Murphy moved to New Jersey in 2000.
Murphy, his wife Tammy and their four children currently live in a mansion in Red Bank, but he is not a Jersey native. Murphy grew up in Newton, Mass.
5. Sheila Oliver is his lieutenant governor-elect.
Oliver was Murphy’s running mate in the 2017 election. Oliver is an assemblywoman from Essex County. She was also the speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly from 2010 until 2014. Oliver is poised to become the New Jersey’s first African-American lieutenant governor.
