Governor Phil Murphy and all of the state’s official accounts were tweeting furiously on Friday trying to borrow a little limelight for Taylor Swift ahead of the pop star’s concert at Met Life Stadium. Even the NJSP account was tweeting “Swiftie” jokes as part of an advisory urging those without tickets to steer clear of the Meadowlands complex.
Murphy went so far as to issue a “proclamation” designating the “Taylor Swift Ham, Egg, and Cheese” as New Jersey’s official state sandwich in honor of the singer (who is a native Pennsylvanian who doesn’t even live here).
If it all sounds silly and a little gross? You’re not wrong!
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) May 25, 2023
Of course this is about attention. Murphy wants his administration mentioned in coverage of the New Jersey leg of the Uber-popular national tour.
There’s a political component, too. Swift is a prominent (lol) Leftist with lots of young female fans; Murphy – who aspires to national office – would love for her and her followers to like him, too.
Not everyone is amused.
Among them: State Senator Mike Testa Jr. (R-1) whose Jersey Shore district is preparing for an inflation-plagued Memorial Day Weekend further complicated by an ongoing series of whale and dolphin deaths. Governor Murphy has flatly refused to acknowledge clear evidence of a link between marine mammal deaths and offshore wind farm exploration, but Testa isn’t letting it lie.
“If @GovMurphy can introduce his own official sandwich, so can we!” Testa tweeted. “Introducing, the “Filet-O-Flipper”! The official sandwich of Murphy’s Memorial Day Weekend at the Shore! But seriously, it’s time to end the insanity and #SaveTheWhales!”
If @GovMurphy can introduce his own official sandwich, so can we!
Introducing, the “Filet-O-Flipper”! The official sandwich of Murphy’s Memorial Day Weekend at the Shore! 🏖️ 🐳
But seriously, it’s time to end the insanity and #SaveTheWhales! pic.twitter.com/gmgEaFQNLH
— Mike Testa (@TestaForNJ) May 26, 2023
