NJ Gov. Phil Murphy announces he has a tumor on his kidney, and likely cancer

Gov. Phil Murphy likely has cancer after doctors found a tumor on his kidney, he announced Saturday night, using the moment to speak beyond his personal diagnosis and address the state of the nation's health care system.

"Over 50,000 New Jerseyans will hear the words 'you have cancer' this year, so I’m far from alone here," said Murphy, 62. "It’s a situation that far too many families find themselves in. That’s why we’re fighting for them each and every day." 

Murphy plans to undergo surgery in early March to have the tumor removed and is expected to make a full recovery. 

"The prognosis is very good and I'm profoundly grateful to my doctors for detecting the tumor early," Murphy said on Twitter. 

Doctors found a 3-centimeter-wide tumor on Murphy's left kidney during a recent CT scan, according to his communications director, Mahen Gunaratna. About 90% of such tumors are cancerous, Gunaratna said.

The disclosure of the tumor comes just days before Murphy is scheduled to deliver his annual budget address for the 2021 fiscal year. His office said he is still expected to deliver the speech, but shortly after that he will retreat from public duties. 

Murphy is expected to undergo surgery at a New York City hospital, Gunaratna said, during which time Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver will become acting governor. Murphy is expected to be in the hospital for a "couple days" and will slowly ease back into his role for several weeks after the surgery, he said. 

Oliver addressed the governor's Cabinet on Saturday night on behalf of Murphy. His wife, Tammy, said on Twitter that he's "a fighter" and thanked the "amazing" team of doctors who detected the tumor. 

Both Phil and Tammy Murphy used the moment to make a statement on health care as well. 

"Health care is a right, not a privilege for a select few, and skyrocketing medical costs are a national emergency," Murphy said. "If there’s anything my diagnosis reminds me of, it’s that preventative services are lifesaving and we need to continue fighting for affordable health care for all."

Gunaratna said the diagnosis will strengthen Murphy's commitment to health care reform.

"He's more committed than ever to fighting for these families by standing up for the Affordable Care Act, reducing the cost of health care and making high-quality health care affordable and accessible to all," Gunaratna said. 

Many people reacted to the news on social media with prayers and warm wishes for Murphy, including his predecessor Chris Christie and his wife.

“Mary Pat and I wish @GovMurphy and his entire family all the best as he undergoes treatment for cancer,” Christie wrote. “All of NJ will be joining us in praying for your full recovery.”

But the Twitter account of his brother, Todd Christie, did not care for Tammy Murphy's message to "keep fighting to make high-quality health care accessible and affordable for all!" 

"Did you really end a heartfelt tweet about your husband having a tumor with a liberal talking point blah, blah, blah? My God you two are a match made in political BS heaven," Todd Christie wrote.