Democrat Phil Murphy wins New Jersey governor’s election

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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.

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.