Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said Wednesday he will not throw his hat into the 2017 gubernatorial race.
The Democratic mayor instead threw his support behind former U.S. ambassador to Germany Phil Murphy at a news conference on Wednesday afternoon. He said he plans to seek a second term as mayor of the Garden State's second-biggest city.
"We still have a lot to do here in Jersey City," he said during the announcement.
He added, "I think that with another four years, if I was fortunate enough for the people of Jersey City to give me that opportunity, we could make even better an already great city."
Murphy, also a Democrat, announced his candidacy 13 months before next year's primary. Prior to running for governor, the former longtime Goldman Sachs executive served as chair of New Way for New Jersey.
He has also served as finance chairman for the Democratic National Committee under Howard Dean.
