New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy faced criticism for not returning to the state following a historic earthquake that left residents rattled. U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew expressed disappointment that Murphy did not issue an on-camera address to residents and instead stayed at a Democratic convention. Residents had to look to New York leadership for guidance during the natural disaster, causing concern among New Jerseyans. Van Drew suggested that Murphy could have taken some time to come back to New Jersey to assure residents of their safety, which would have been a reassuring gesture during a time of crisis.
The earthquake, which measured at least 4.8 magnitude, struck near Lebanon, New Jersey, at 10:23 a.m. on Friday, affecting more than 42 million people in 14 states from Maine to North Carolina. Despite the significant impact of the earthquake, Murphy chose to stay at the Democratic convention rather than return to his state to address the situation. Van Drew highlighted that the earthquake was the largest that New Jersey had experienced in almost a century and a half, emphasizing the importance of leadership presence during times of crisis. Murphy deactivated the state’s emergency operations center on Saturday, stating that there were no reports of major damage to structures, roadways, or infrastructure as a result of the earthquake.
Van Drew criticized Murphy for not making the effort to personally review the infrastructure and reassure residents of their safety. He emphasized the importance of leaders being present during challenging times and expressed disappointment that Murphy did not prioritize returning to New Jersey after the earthquake. The Republican representative suggested that Murphy should have shown a symbol of support by coming back to the state to address the situation and ensure residents that everything was under control. Van Drew noted that residents had to seek guidance from New York officials during the earthquake, rather than receiving reassurance from their own governor.
The earthquake in New Jersey prompted more than 152,000 Americans to report feeling shaking to the USGS, with more than two dozen aftershocks felt since the initial quake. The impact of the earthquake was widespread, with reports of shaking felt across 14 states in the Northeast region. Despite the relatively low magnitude of the earthquake compared to regions like California, it was still a significant event for New Jersey residents. Van Drew highlighted the importance of leadership presence during such events, expressing disappointment that Murphy did not prioritize reassuring residents by returning to the state promptly.
Murphy’s absence during the earthquake in New Jersey raised concerns among residents and officials, prompting criticism from Van Drew and others. The lack of an on-camera address from the governor and his decision to stay at a Democratic convention rather than returning to address the situation personally drew scrutiny. Van Drew emphasized the need for leaders to be present during times of crisis to reassure residents and provide guidance. The earthquake in New Jersey served as a reminder of the importance of leadership presence and effective communication in response to natural disasters and other emergencies.
