Race To Replace Chris Christie Gets First Official Candidate
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP)-- The race to replace Republican Gov. Chris Christie has its first official candidate.
Democrat Phil Murphy officially declared himself a candidate on Monday in an email and video sent to supporters.
Looking at conditions now, Murphy said New Jersey needs to do better, WCBS 880's Peter Haskell reported.
"Folks in the state have had it with the sort of business as usual, politics as usual, literally had it. They want leadership that has their back," Murphy said.
Murphy is the United States' former ambassador to Germany. He also previously worked on Wall Street with Goldman Sachs.
"I've seen around the world how economies grow or how they don't grow, how employment is increased or not," he said.
He launched an advocacy organization focused on the state's middle class last year that was seen as a forerunner to a campaign.
"The middle class has been abandoned by this administration," he added.
He is expected to be joined by a crowded field of Democrats in next year's primary. Christie's term runs through the end of 2017.
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