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Jersey rocker Jon Bon Jovi returned to Asbury Park Sunday night to stomp for friend and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy.

“It’s amazing to see what’s happened in Asbury Park,” he said. “I’m happy to spend this night in the city that gave me so much when I was starting out.”

Calling the Murphy family, his neighbors and among his best friends, the 55-year-old rocker said they met 20 years ago when they were parents of school aged children.

“I’ve just been watching them with such awe,” Bon Jovi said. “For two years, Phil and Tammy have been chasing this because they have such good intentions to do such good things for our state. Phil is going to wake up every day and think about what is in the best interest for everybody. I wouldn’t have stumped for two years if I didn’t believe that to my core.”

Flanked by his backup crew comprised of a violinist, keyboardist and another guitarist, Bon Jovi played Who Says You Can’t Go Home, Lost Highway and You Give Love A Bad Name.

The Sayreville native was welcomed to the stage by Murphy’s wife Tammy, who jokingly  presented him with a Jon Bon Jovi service area placard.

“From my vantage point, these last 539 days have been incredible,” she said. “It’s time to turn the page, right. We really need a change.”

Murphy, 60, told the crowd this was personal.

“This is pass fail,” he said in speaking of the importance of getting the Democratic ticket elected to office. “And, that begins and ends in Asbury Park. Tammy and I, and our four kids, live in Monmouth County. This is personal.”

Murphy spoke of embracing change, respecting seniors, celebrating and building the middle class, funding education and infrastructure.

“We stand for a stronger, fairer economy that works for every New Jersey family – period,” he said. “Stronger means we have to grow this economy again. I need not tell you that Bell Labs is in Monmouth County; we were silicon valley before there was a silicon valley.”

He spoke of raising minimum wage to $15 and hour, paid sick leave, child dependent care and caregiver tax credits, property relief for the middle class, equal pay, comprehensive criminal justice reform, and legalizing marijuana.”

“We will not do it for the money, although we will take the money,” he said about plans to legalize marijuana. “The main reason for legalizing marijuana is social justice.”

Also in attendance were close to 100 Columbia University student who spend four days stumping for the Democratic ticket.

Congressman Frank Pallone also rallied the crowd with his speech on voter rights. 

“What Phil Murphy and the Democrats are about is getting people involved; taking your ideas and using them to pass legislation,” Pallone said. He also won crowd applause for his points on affordable college tuition, environmental protections, and criminal justice reforms.

Democratic Senate candidate Vin Gopal also garnered crowd applause for his points on the 11-credit downgrades, ARC tunnel cancellation, climate change disbelief, depletion of women’s healthcare funding, and gun background check.

“Folks in Washington, folks all over the country, will be watching to see if New Jersey does the right thing,” he said.

Mayor John Moor welcomed the close to 400 crowd, many of whom had been out working the campaign trail.

“I want to thank Daryl Hammary, John Napolitani, and everyone who has been out there,” Moor said. “As much as this election will be a great night, we know there is no sure thing. We need to make sure to get out the vote because this is the most important election to the future of New Jersey.”

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