Governor Phil Murphy To Deliver Final State Of The State Address

As Governor Phil Murphy’s final days in office approach, he will be delivering his last State of the State Address to New Jersey next week.

The governor’s final State of the State Address will be delivered in the Assembly Chamber at the New Jersey State House at 3 p.m. on Jan. 13. It will be live-streamed on the Governor's official Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages.

In years past, Murphy’s State of the State speeches have addressed his administration's achievements in New Jersey, including the establishment of the ANCHOR tax relief program, the raising of the minimum wage, and strides in transportation, to name a few.

This one, however, will likely be deeply reflective as the Monmouth County resident bids farewell to his role as New Jersey’s governor.

“It has been the highest honor of my life to serve as Governor of our great Garden State,” said Murphy. “Together, we have built a New Jersey that is stronger and fairer than ever before. As we approach the end of our journey, this much is clear: our state’s future has never been brighter.”

The 68-year-old Democrat was first elected in 2017 after beating Republican Kim Guadagno.

It was four years later when Murphy beat Jack Ciattarelli in his reelection attempt, making him the first Democratic governor in New Jersey to be elected to a second term in more than 40 years.

Prior to his life in public service, Murphy led a 20-year career at Goldman Sachs, where he retired in 2003 as a member of the firm’s management committee. In that time, he led offices in Germany and China.

Murphy dipped his toe in public service in 2002 with the 180 Turning Lives Around women’s shelter, eventually serving as the Board president from 2005 to 2009.

He would later work with several organizations before becoming governor, including the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, the New Jersey Benefits Review Task Force, the Democratic National Committee (where he served as Finance Chair), the NAACP, and more.

Murphy’s experiences in Germany would prove useful when President Barack Obama appointed him as the United States Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany from 2009 to 2013.

Once becoming governor, Murphy served as the Chair of the National Governors Association and the Democratic Governors Association, the first governor to lead both at the same time. He currently serves as the Finance Chair of the Democratic Governors Association.

Murphy’s final day in office will be Jan. 20, the same day his successor Mikie Sherrill is set to take her oath.

Check back with Patch for coverage on Murphy’s final State of the State Address.