A lot happened in the nine days since Phil Murphy last had a briefing. But that doesn’t mean the governor wants to talk about them.

Since the governor’s last briefing on Jan. 24, a political consultant, Sean Caddle, pled guilty to arranging the murder of a one-time associate.

And in a more routine, but still fascinating, political event, Steve Sweeney was removed from the state’s Apportionment Commission, which is revising New Jersey’s 40 legislative districts.

So, what’s the governor’s reaction to two events that had the state’s political universe abuzz?

Not much. Or at least not much that he is willing to say publicly.

Murphy said at his briefing today that he has no specific comment on Caddle’s plea. Other than …

“My jaw hit the floor.” Murphy added that he can’t believe this type of stuff happens, but apparently it does.

Caddle did work in Jersey Democratic politics, so did Murphy ever interact with him?
Maybe.

The governor referenced news reports that Caddle worked on Ray Lesniak’s 2017 gubernatorial campaign. Murphy, of course, was in that race as well.

As a result, he said it’s possible he could have crossed paths with Caddle during joint campaign appearances with Lesniak – like backstage prior to debates during the primary. Murphy said that would have been his only interaction with Caddle.

As for Sweeney, the governor didn’t want to get involved in an issue that continued into this week.
Sweeney, the once-powerful Senate president, who was removed from the panel by state Democratic Chair LeRoy Jones, lost a court challenge to his ouster on Tuesday.

Murphy’s public reaction to this was rather simple:

“I have complete confidence in the leadership of Chairman LeRoy Jones. … And I know that he’ll take all things that need to be into consideration, including geographic elements and aspects.”