Stronger Fairer Forward PAC, which was formed to help candidates who support Gov. Phil Murphy’s issues of affordability and strengthening the middle class, has contributed more than $300,000 to campaigns this cycle, including $100,000 to the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State to help with ballot initiatives affecting voting rights issues.
In New Jersey, the PAC has contributed to Reps. Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes), Andy Kim (D-Moorestown), Josh Gottheimer (D-Wycoff) and Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair), all frontline congressional candidates facing competitive races.
The Murphy-allied PAC has also donated to three Democratic governors – Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Laura Kelley of Kansas and Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico – as well as Democratic gubernatorial candidates in Florida and Nevada, and Democratic candidates for Secretary of State in Georgia, Nevada, and Colorado.
“We started Stronger Fairer Forward PAC with the promise to support candidates who would fight for the principles of democracy, affordability, and middle-class economics,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy, who chairs the PAC. “The candidates and campaigns we’re supporting have pledged to uphold the principles of democracy, and work to build middle class economies that work for everyone in this country. This is a big first step for our organization, but it is only the beginning.”
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, and state party organizations in Arizona, Florida, Michigan and New Hampshire, also received Murphy money.
The $300,000 total also includes donations to Protect Kentucky Access and Reproductive Freedom for All, from Stronger Fairer Forward, Murphy’s 501 (c)(4) group.
These early investments could boost Murphy’s standing if he decides to seek the Democratic nomination for president in 2024.
“In so many states, Democracy is quite literally on the ballot this November,” said Kim Rogers, the executive director of the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State. “This financial infusion from Mrs. Murphy and Stronger Fairer Forward allows us to communicate with voters in states critical not only to this year’s election cycle, but to the future of our American democracy.”
Rogers called the 2022 cycle “as important an election cycle the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State has ever undertaken.”