 | |
| Governorship of Phil Murphy January 16, 2018 – present | |
| Party | Democratic |
|---|---|
| Election | |
| Seat | Drumthwacket |
 Seal of New Jersey | |
Phil Murphy became the 56th Governor of New Jersey on January 16, 2018. He won re-election in 2021, becoming the first Democrat since Brendan Byrne in 1977 to do so. His first term, overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, has been characterized as establishing the already liberal-leaning state as one of the nation's most progressive.[1]
- ^ Tracey Tully, Nick Corasaniti and Katie Glueck (November 3, 2021). "Murphy Narrowly Wins Re-election as New Jersey's Governor". The New York Times. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
In the end, more voters appeared to support the approach taken by Mr. Murphy, who in his first term established New Jersey as one of the most progressive states in the nation. Over the last four years, he locked in a deal to gradually increase the minimum wage to $15, raised the tax rate on income over $1 million and legalized marijuana. He made community college free for students in households with incomes of less than $65,000, restored voting rights to people on probation or parole, and authorized drivers' licenses for undocumented immigrants.