Murphy says review of how state handled COVID will start soon, addresses speculation on presidential run – NJ.com

Gov. Phil Murphy said Sunday that New Jersey will soon begin a comprehensive review of the states response to the COVID-19 pandemic a step he promised more than two years ago.

During a TV interview on Fox News Sunday, the Democratic governor also said he expects people to debate forever and for always whether New Jersey closed schools for too long during the crisis and that officials had no other choice early on.

In addition, Murphy addressed speculation over whether he may run for president in 2024, saying he would back President Joe Biden should the president seek re-election and that he has not met with donors about his own possible bid if Biden decides not to.

Murphy first vowed New Jersey would conduct a postmortem on its handling of the pandemic in April 2020, just weeks after the coronavirus started spreading rapidly in the state, an early epicenter of the illness.

Last week, he reiterated officials are committed to a review but didnt have a date, saying the state is still not out of the woods with the virus.

Asked Sunday if that means there will be no review if COVID-19 is still in New Jersey, Murphy said: No, it does not.

I dont have news to break today, but I think were in a matter of weeks of coming up with a comprehensive program, he added, saying the review will focus on the states entire COVID response, including long-term care.

I want to make sure its effective, not just in teaching us what went right and what went wrong, but also that it can be a tool for future governors, future administrations, the governor said. COVID, sadly, is still with us. It will continue to be with us. But we cant wait til the last case to do that review, and we wont. Well be doing something, starting something soon.

The virus has killed more than 34,000 residents in the state in the last 2 1/2 years. More than 9,500 of those deaths have been among residents and staff members at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, according to state data.

Murphy closed New Jerseys schools and switched them to remote classes in March 2020, days after the state reported its first coronavirus case. In-person classes did not return until the beginning of the 2021-22 school year.

Fox host Mike Emanuel a Westfield native and Rutgers University alum noted that test scores show evidence of learning loss because of virtual classes and asked Murphy if he felt the state kept schools closed for too long.

I think thats gonna be one of those things that folks debate forever and for always, Murphy said. We knew learning loss, we know its real, we know the mental health stress on everybody kids in particular, educators, families.

But Murphy said early on, when officials had little knowledge about the virus, we had no other choice.

He also insisted New Jersey will be laser-focused on closing those gaps when it comes to learning loss.

As for 2024? Murphy is considered by some to be a potential candidate if Biden, a fellow Democrat, doesnt run for re-election. People close to Murphy have said they consider him a strong contender and have discussed a possible campaign for the Democratic nomination.

Asked about Murphy for President in 2024, Murphy said he expects Biden to run again and that he would support him for a second term.

Hell have no bigger backer than yours truly, the governor said. I think thats really the base case right now. In the meantime, Im gonna have my nose pressed against the Jersey glass.

MORE: President Murphy? N.J. governor could run for White House if Biden doesnt.

Murphy said hes focused on New Jersey morning, noon and night.

Asked if he has met with donors about a 2024 campaign, he said: Ive met with no donors about my personal ambitions in that respect.

Murphy acknowledged a pair of political organizations formed by allies that could raise his national profile. He said those are focused mostly getting the word out in terms of what weve done in New Jersey.

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Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him at @johnsb01.

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Murphy says review of how state handled COVID will start soon, addresses speculation on presidential run - NJ.com