Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson will formally announce his support during a news conference Friday
TRENTON -- Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson is set to endorse Democrat Phil Murphy for governor and he says the timing has nothing to do with Senate President Stephen Sweeney's decision not to run.
The mayor will make a formal announcement during a news conference scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Friday in the State House Annex. He will be joined by Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes, county Democratic Committee chairman Rich McClellan and other party leaders.
"I personally believe Phil Murphy has the ambition, desire and ... the qualities to help take the state in the direction it should go," Jackson said. "We have a struggling economy and he has the skillsets and has shown the ability to lead to help us move through that time and serve the state very well."
Murphy, the former Goldman Sachs executive and U.S. ambassador to Germany, kicked off the 2017 gubernatorial race in May when he announced his candidacy.
Jackson said he has known Murphy for a little over two years.
"This was not a quick decision," he said. "It is one that is based on the longevity of conversations, critical conversations about the capital city and what is good for the state of New Jersey. ... I want to give my full endorsement to a person I believe will lead the state to better days."
He said he believes Murphy can help move Trenton forward and make it a "shining light" in the state.
Jackson said his endorsement was already in the works before Sweeney announced Thursday that he would not be entering the battle for the Democratic nomination.
The mayor said that over the past several months, he hosted forums with Murphy, Sweeney and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, giving them an opportunity to share their plan and vision with residents.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find NJ.com on Facebook.