Phil Murphy: the good, the bad, and the in-between

Phil Murphy was New Jersey’s governor for eight years until Tuesday at noon. He leaves behind a mixed record.

By: Terrence T. McDonald

Outlets: New Jersey Monitor

Published: January 20, 2026

Words: 1,555

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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Phil Murphy left office Tuesday at noon after eight years as New Jersey’s governor, two terms highlighted by tumult.

His first years in office were marked by political scandal and Democratic infighting. He was among the first governors forced to deal with COVID-19, which began spreading while he was hospitalized for cancer surgery. In 2021, he became the first Democratic governor in nearly 50 years to win reelection. He helped lead …

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