Phil Murphy , a Democrat, served as the 56th Governor of New Jersey from January 16, 2018, to 2026, representing the entire state rather than a specific district. Born on August 16, 1957, in Needham, Massachusetts, he is a former financier and Goldman Sachs executive who rose to prominence through diplomacy and Democratic Party fundraising. He was first elected in 2017, narrowly re-elected in 2021—marking the first Democratic gubernatorial reelection in New Jersey in 44 years—and completed his second term in 2026.

Notable achievements include raising the minimum wage to $15/hour, enacting paid sick leave and family leave, legalizing adult-use cannabis, expanding preschool access and tuition-free college programs, advancing offshore wind energy, implementing strong gun-violence prevention laws, restoring voting rights for those on probation/parole, and leading a science-based COVID-19 response. He also appointed five justices to the New Jersey Supreme Court with bipartisan support and focused on environmental justice, opioid initiatives, and immigrant protections.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Earned a bachelor's degree from Harvard University in 1979 and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1983.
• Early Career: Spent 23 years at Goldman Sachs, rising to senior roles including heading the German office, president in Asia, and global leader of investment management.
• Political Experience:
  • National Finance Chairman of the Democratic National Committee .
  • United States Ambassador to Germany under President Barack Obama.
  • Principal of Murphy Endeavors LLC, a business management consulting firm.
  • Elected Governor of New Jersey .