THE COMBATANTS
Phil Murphy: New Jersey’s 56th governor, he’s a former Wall Street executive who also served as U.S. ambassador to Germany under former President Barack Obama. Murphy didn’t hold elected office until he easily defeated his Republican rival in the 2017 election.
George Norcross: A wealthy insurance executive with deep ties to New Jersey politics, he’s an old-school Democratic party power broker who has long been considered the state’s most powerful unelected official because of his control of South Jersey lawmakers elected to the state Senate and Assembly. With his deep pockets, Norcross has helped fundraise, bankroll, and support Democratic races across southern New Jersey and other parts of the state.
Stephen Sweeney: As president of the Senate, the upper house of the state Legislature — a position he’s held since 2010 — he’s New Jersey’s most powerful lawmaker in Trenton, deciding what bills come up for a vote and which of Murphy’s nominees get a hearing. Sweeney and Norcross were childhood friends and remain close allies.