Democrats took back the governor’s seat in New Jersey as first-time candidate Phil Murphy defeated Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno. Mr. Murphy, 60, easily defeated Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, the Republican candidate and Mr. Christie’s second-in-command, by a margin of 55 to 42 percent, after a contentious election that never was really in doubt. Ms. Guadagno had struggled to move out of the shadow of her boss.
Murphy, a Monmouth County resident and former U.S. ambassador to Germany, has shown his support for New Jersey horsemen and the equine industry. The SBOANJ and TrotPAC sponsored a fundraiser at Deo Volente Farms for Mr. Murphy this summer. During that event Mr. Murphy recognized the importance of the equine industry to the state both historically and what it could be again. Murphy has made it very clear that he will stand behind the horsemen and work to make the public aware of the value of the equine industry as a whole.
"With Phil Murphy as New Jersey’s future governor we finally have someone who can help our industry be great again," said the SBOANJ in a release issued Wednesday. "The SBOANJ and TrotPAC will continue to keep communication open with the future governor and work with him to get our industry back on track."
(with files from SBOANJ)