With the state gubernatorial race still over a year away, political chess came into fruition Thursday as Senate President Steve Sweeney announced he would not throw his hat in ring. His announcement came just one week after Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop announced he would be pulling out of the race.

Then came the announcement by Monmouth County Democratic Chair Vin Gopal that over 120 Monmouth County Democratic Party Leaders, Mayors and Council members formally pledged their endorsement of Former U.S. Ambassador Philip Murphy of Middletown.

The former US German Ambassador and Goldman Sachs executive is known for championing middle-class causes via his New Start New Jersey, a progressive nonprofit policy think tank.

“Upon consultation with State Democratic Committee Chairman John Currie and our mayors and municipal leaders, we are proud to endorse and give our full support to Monmouth County’s own, Phil Murphy, for the 2017 Democratic Nomination for Governor,” Gopal said in a written statement. “Since starting his campaign a few months ago, he won over person after person through his progressive ideals and affable personality. He will make an outstanding Democratic nominee and I look forward to working very hard to see that he is elected Governor of the State of New Jersey in November of 2017.”

What stood out on the list of names Gopal sent over was Asbury Park’s fiscally conservative Mayor John Moor, who is registered as an unaffiliated voter. Moor is the sole non registered Democrat to endorse Murphy, Asbury Park Democratic Organization Chair Giuseppe ‘Joe’ Grillo confirmed.

Moor [at right] said he gave his endorsement back in June after first meeting Murphy at a town hall event at Second Baptist Church on Atkins Avenue.

“During his dialogue, a bell went off,” Moor said. “It takes a lot for me to be enthused but I liked the guy.”

After inviting Murphy to lunch and hearing his goals and platform details, Moor said he immediately pledged his endorsement.

“Something really struck a chord with me because he’s not your typical politician,” Moor said. “He’s been in Asbury Park a number of times and I believe his vision falls in line with moving the city and the state forward.”

Murphy’s campaign coordinator Mike Beson voiced the campaign’s  appreciation for the overwhelming list of support at this early stage of of the political race.

“Phil Murphy is progressive visionary and he will make a great governor for New Jersey,” Beson said. “So many volunteers and supporters helped to get us to this position today.”

The Middletown resident’s campaign outlines a gun violence policy, stronger minimum wage, innovative job training, earned sick leave, more secure retirement initiatives, equal pay, dependent tax credits, affordable college and housing, and expanding Earned Income Tax Credit and Veterans services.

The Boston native graduated from Harvard University and obtained an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.  Murphy and wife Tammy have four children.

Below are the few written endorsement from the news release:

“Phil is more than just a constituent of mine, but a true leader in our community and a good friend, and I am happy to give him my endorsement,” Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. [D-N.J., 6th District] “I know he shares my commitment to growing clean energy alternatives and protecting our environment, ensuring access to quality health care for all residents, and focusing on rebuilding our infrastructure and economy. He doesn’t shy away from challenges or accept the easy way out, and our next governor must be someone who will serve honestly and with an eye to what is best for the next generation.”

“After much discussion with Phil, I’m confident that his vision for New Jersey will provide even more opportunity for us to further the cost saving and job creating measures we have undertaken locally over the past years,” Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik said. “Taxpayers in Marlboro, and across the state, will benefit from the fresh new perspective and strong, inclusive, leadership Phil Murphy will bring to the Governor’s Office.”

“We are proud to support Monmouth County’s own Phil Murphy for Governor in 2017,” Assembly members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey [both D-Monmouth] said in their joint statement. “It is clear that new leadership is needed after eight years of Chris Christie mismanagement of the state’s finances and budget and we are excited to work hard to elect Ambassador Murphy as the next Governor. He has the skillsets we need to move New Jersey forward.”

And, the following is a full list of the 120 endorsements:

Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal

Monmouth County Democratic Vice-Chairwoman Mary Foster

Monmouth County Democrats Treasurer David Brown

United States Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-Long Branch)

State Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling (D-Neptune)

State Assemblywoman Joann Downey (D-Freehold Township)

Former Monmouth County Freeholder John D’Amico

2016 County-Wide Candidates

Jeff Cantor, Vincent Solomeno, Matt Doherty & Sue Fulton

MAYORS

Aberdeen Mayor Fred Tagliarini

Asbury Park Mayor John Moor

Atlantic Highlands Mayor Randi LeGrice

Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty

Lake Como Mayor Brian Wilton

Loch Arbour Mayor Paul Fernicola

Manasquan Mayor Ed Donovan

Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik

Matawan Mayor Joe Altomonte

Neptune Mayor Kevin McMillan

Ocean Twp. Mayor Chris Siciliano

Oceanport Mayor Jay Coffey

Red Bank Mayor Pat Menna

Roosevelt Mayor Jeff Ellentuck

Spring Lake Heights Mayor Tom O’Brien

MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS

Aberdeen Councilman Robert Swindle

Aberdeen Councilman Arthur Hirsch

Aberdeen Councilman Joseph Martucci

Aberdeen Councilwoman Margaret Montone

Aberdeen Councilman Greg Cannon

Aberdeen Councilwoman Connie Kelly

Allentown Council President William Borkowski

Allentown Councilman Rob Schmidt

Asbury Park Councilwoman Yvonne Clayton

Atlantic Highlands Council President Roy Dellosso

Atlantic Highlands Councilman Chuck Lero

Belmar Councilwoman Janis Blackburn

Belmar Council President Brian McGovern

Belmar Councilwoman Jennifer Nicolay

Belmar Councilman Tom Brennan

Fair Haven Councilman Aimee Humphries

Freehold Borough Councilman Kevin Kane

Freehold Borough Councilman George Schnurr

Hazlet Township Committeeman James DiNardo

Hazlet Township Committeewoman Barbara Ronchetti

Keyport Councilman Matt Goode

Keyport Council President Joe Sheridan

Keyport Councilwoman Sophia Lamberson

Keyport Councilman Isaiah Cooper

Lake Como Councilman Michael Noonan

Lake Como Councilwoman Hawley Scull

Lake Como Councilman Doug Witte

Manalapan Township Committeeman David Kane

Manasquan Councilman Michael Mangan

Matawan Councilman Mike Vergaretti

Matawan Councilman Nick Reeve

Marlboro Councilman Jeff Cantor

Marlboro Councilwoman Carol Mazola

Marlboro Councilman Scott Metzger

Marlboro Councilwoman Randi Marder

Marlboro Councilman Mike Scalea

Neptune Deputy Mayor Dr. Michael Brantley

Neptune Township Committeeman Nick Williams

Neptune Township Committeewoman Carol Rizzo

Neptune Township Committeeman Robert Lane

Ocean Township Deputy Mayor William Garofalo

Red Bank Councilwoman Kathy Horgan

Red Bank Councilman Ed Zipprich

Roosevelt Councilwoman Peggy Malkin

Sea Bright Councilman Marc Leckstein

Sea Bright Councilman Charles Rooney

Shrewsbury Township Committeeman Ed Nolan

Spring Lake Heights Councilman Art Herner

Spring Lake Heights Councilman Tom Vorbach

Union Beach Councilman Tim Perrella

Union Beach Councilman Jeff Williams

MUNICIPAL CHAIRS

Aberdeen Democratic Chairman Greg Cannon

Allentown Democratic Co-Chairs Alice Lloyd and Rob Schmidt

Asbury Park Democratic Chair Joe Grillo

Atlantic Highlands Democratic Chairman Chair Regina Hawley-Keelen

Avon-By-The-Seat Democratic Chairwoman Patricia Sheehan

Belmar Democratic Chairwoman Claire Deicke

Brielle Democratic Chairman John Pirnat

Bradley Beach Democratic Chair Steve Lozowick

Eatontown Democratic Chairman Bill Robinson

Farmingdale Democratic Chair Beau Byrtus

Freehold Borough Democratic Chair Kevin Kane

Freehold Township Democratic Chair Haven Franklin

Hazlet Democratic Chair Audrey Tyler

Highlands Democratic Chair Chris Francy

Holmdel Democratic Chair Larry Luttrell

Howell Democratic Chairman John McCabe

Interlaken Democratic Chairman Bob Napoli

Keyport Democratic Chairwoman Joy Johnson

Loch Arbour Democratic Chairman Paul Fernicola

Manalapan Democratic Chairman David Kane

Manasquan Democratic Chairman Michael Mangan

Marlboro Democratic Chair Lynn Franco

Matawan Democratic Chair Joe Altomonte

Neptune Township Democratic Chairman Jim Mowczan

Ocean Township Democratic Chairman Don Yacavone

Oceanport Democratic Chairman Mike Sikand

Red Bank Democratic Chairman Ed Zipprich

Roosevelt Democratic Chairwoman Peggy Malkin

Rumson Democratic Chairman Michael Steinhorn

Sea Girt Democratic Chair Altha Morton

Sea Bright Democratic Chairman Marc Leckstein

Shrewsbury Borough Democratic Chairwoman Norma Rosenbloom

Shrewsbury Township Democratic Chairman Ed Nolan

Spring Lake Heights Democratic Chairwoman Eileen Eilenberger

Tinton Falls Democratic Chairman Sam Loffredo

Union Beach Democratic Chairmann Ken Connors

Wall Township Democratic Chairman Eric Brophy

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