Governor Phil Murphy Reflects on 8 Years Leading New Jersey

Reflecting on Eight Years as Governor

• 😔 Governor Murphy describes his final year as governor as bittersweet, with a focus on sprinting through the remaining agenda before his term ends on January 20th.
• 💡 He expresses belief in term limits, stating that two four-year terms provide a sufficient runway to accomplish meaningful work.

Key Accomplishments and Leadership

• ✅ Murphy is proud that his administration stayed true to its campaign promises, adhering to a "stronger, fairer, ultimately more responsible agenda."
• 👏 He is commended for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, characterized by daily press conferences and transparent communication despite not always having all the facts.
• 🩺 Murphy shared his personal health battle, having been diagnosed with kidney cancer early in his tenure, and is now in good health, preparing for his last 5K as governor.

Transition to the New Administration

• 🚀 Murphy celebrated the decisive victory of the incoming governor, describing it as a "big win" and expressing confidence in the new leadership's vision.
• 🤝 He detailed ongoing collaboration with the incoming governor's team during the transition period, offering support and sharing insights from his own experience.
• 🗣️ He acknowledged that the new governor's approach to engaging with former President Trump differs, noting that while his administration also took actions against the federal administration, the new governor has found her voice and governs well.

Final Month and Future Plans

• 🏠 In his final month, Murphy aims to advance legislation on cell phone bans in prisons, increase housing supply, and pass public safety bills.
• 💰 Initiatives like retiring medical debt and expanding the clemency initiative to reinforce New Jersey as a "second chance state" are also priorities.
• ⚽ Murphy and his wife are deeply involved with the 2026 World Cup, with his wife chairing the host committee, anticipating significant economic and cultural impact on the region.

Lessons from the Pandemic and Message to New Jersey

• 🧠 A key lesson from the pandemic was the balance between data-driven decisions and human empathy, remembering the precious lives and families impacted.
• 💬 Murphy initiated a post-mortem of the pandemic response, believing it to be a unique government undertaking.
• ✨ He described New Jersey as a state with unparalleled character, grit, and a strong backbone, expressing immense honor in serving its diverse population.