TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy has issued endorsements to the establishment-backed candidates in key mayoral races, including Plainfield, Edison, and Morristown, but he has not made a comment about Camden.

Until now.

Running for reelection statewide, Murphy resides at the top of the Camden County Democratic Committee column in the June 8th primary, but has not jumped in to gives his personal thumbs up to Councilman Victor Carstarphen as he has in other contests.

After convening a commission and opening up an investigation into the use of Camden tax credits that benefited politically connected corporations, Murphy clashed early in his administration with South Jersey Democrats in particular.

The two sides appeared to make up in time for the election, but again, the governor prior to this afternoon has not said anything about the local race.

“I’ve got no plans to do anything there – that does not mean that we won’t,” Murphy told InsiderNJ at today’s War Memorial COVID-19 briefing.

He added that if he sharpens his intentions there he will relay new information.

“I will say that as Camden goes so we go; it’s a city of enormous promise,” the governor added.

The mayoral contest features the establishment-backed Carstarphen running on the party line, and three alternatives: Councilwoman Felisha Reyes Morton, School Board Member Elton Custis, and Spanish teacher Luis Quinones.