Murphy Accepts Victory With Speech, Ciattarelli Unconvinced

NEW JERSEY — The New Jersey Governor's race was called by the Associated Press on Tuesday night after a day and a half of vote counting and razor-thin margins. Gov. Phil Murphy was called as the winner and becomes the first Democrat in New Jersey to win a second term in 40 years.

Murphy took the news joyously and offered a victory speech full of thanks and promises for a "fairer" New Jersey, as an ode to his campaign slogan. Opening his speech with a joke, Murphy said the race was a true New Jersey story, "I was on my way someplace, and it took us longer to get there than we planned," he joked.

Pointing to the future, Murphy said, "If you want to know what the future looks like folks, come to New Jersey. If you want to understand where America is heading, look to New Jersey. And if you want to be Governor of all of New Jersey, you must listen to all of New Jersey — and New Jersey, I hear you."

Murphy went on to tweet the end of his victory speech:

Ciattarelli did not offer a concession speech, but instead, retweeted a post from his communications rep calling the AP's call on the race "irresponsible."