Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy attends a news conference with wife Tammy Murphy and son Sam on Nov. 7, 2017 in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
Bobby Bank | Getty Images
Democrat Phil Murphy was elected governor of New Jersey on Tuesday, NBC News projected, sweeping to victory in the race to succeed unpopular Republican Governor Chris Christie on a liberal agenda that included a $15 minimum wage and increased school funding.
Murphy, a former investment banker and ambassador to Germany, beat Republican Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, who was hampered by her association with Christie and lagged in fundraising. A one-time presidential candidate, Christie has hit record-low approval ratings as he closes out his eight-year tenure in the Democratic-leaning state.
—CNBC contributed to this report.