FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 5, 2026
Jess Murphy Campaign for Congress (NY-02)
Contact: Erica Miller | team@jessmurphyforcongress.com
Judge Sets Hearing in Murphy Ballot Case as Campaign Seeks to Block Ballots Without Her Name
As a judge prepares to hear arguments on whether valid voter signatures were wrongly excluded, the Murphy campaign is seeking to stop ballots from being printed without her name — even as opponent Pat Halpin has begun telling supporters the race is over.
AMITYVILLE, NY (May 5, 2026) — A New York State Supreme Court judge has granted an Order to Show Cause in the ongoing ballot access case involving congressional candidate Jess Murphy, setting a hearing that could restore her to the Democratic primary ballot in June and prevent ballots from being printed without her name.
The court’s order allows Murphy’s campaign to seek reconsideration of the prior ruling and ensure the record fully reflects valid voter signatures that were previously excluded.
The development comes as opponent Pat Halpin has begun telling supporters there will be no primary election, despite the case remaining active before the court.
“We appreciate the court taking a closer look at this case,” said Murphy. “At the end of the day, this is about voters and making sure their voices are respected before ballots are finalized.”
Murphy’s campaign has been actively reconnecting with voters whose signatures were challenged and gathering sworn affirmations confirming their intent.
The campaign maintains that Murphy met the legal requirements to appear on the ballot and is seeking to correct the record to reflect valid voter signatures.
The court has scheduled a hearing for May 11, where arguments will be heard.
“This race is not decided by emails or assumptions,” Murphy added. “It should be decided by voters.”
“Jess Murphy followed the law, exceeded the required threshold, and now we have the opportunity to ensure the record fully reflects valid voter signatures,” said Erica Miller, Senior Campaign Advisor. “This should be decided by voters, not technicalities.”
Murphy’s campaign continues to move forward with its appeal while working to ensure that every valid voter and every legitimate signature is respected.
About Jess Murphy
Jess Murphy is a Long Island native, housing professional, and Democratic candidate for Congress in New York’s 2nd District. After studying political science in Washington, D.C., Murphy campaigned for President Obama and gained experience on Capitol Hill working on democracy and economic policy. She has since built her career helping working families navigate housing, affordability, and economic opportunity.
Murphy is running for Congress to restore accountability in government, protect voting rights, lower costs for working families, and ensure democracy is driven by voters, not political insiders or special interests. Her campaign is grounded in direct voter engagement, transparency, and a commitment to making government work for the people it serves.
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 28, 2026
Jess Murphy Campaign for Congress (NY-02)
Contact: Erica Miller | team@jessmurphyforcongress.com
Board of Elections Deems Jess Murphy Petition Valid as Halpin Campaign Challenges Supporters’ Signatures in Court
After submitting well above the required number of signatures and having her petition deemed valid by the Board of Elections, Jess Murphy is now fighting a court challenge brought by representatives of Pat Halpin’s campaign seeking to disqualify supporters over handwriting technicalities.
AMITYVILLE, NY — April 28, 2026 — Democratic congressional candidate Jess Murphy submitted 1,908 petition signatures to qualify for the ballot in New York’s 2nd Congressional District, far exceeding the 1,250 signatures required under New York Election Law § 6-154.
Following the review of objections, the New York Board of Elections issued a clerk’s report validating 1,380 signatures and deeming Murphy’s petition valid.
Representatives and attorneys acting on behalf of Pat Halpin’s campaign subsequently challenged that determination in court, arguing that certain voter signatures should be invalidated based largely on handwriting technicalities, including signatures written in print rather than cursive or signatures that did not precisely match historical voter registration records.
As a result of that challenge, Murphy’s campaign is now appealing the court’s ruling.
In response, Murphy has begun going door to door to personally reconnect with voters whose signatures were challenged and is collecting signed affirmations directly from supporters confirming their lawful intent.
“I’m knocking on doors and hearing directly from people who are frustrated their voices are being questioned,” Murphy said. “They’re telling me, ‘Yes, I signed. I meant it.’ Voters followed the rules, and their voices deserve to be respected.”
Murphy described cases involving seniors, longtime voters, and working families whose signatures have naturally changed over time.
“We’re talking about real people whose support is being challenged over technicalities like print versus cursive,” Murphy said. “This is bigger than one campaign. It’s about whether voters get to decide elections, or whether political insiders can use procedural challenges to silence them.”
Murphy’s campaign says the case reflects a broader trend in New York and across the country, where ballot access is increasingly contested through legal technicalities rather than voter intent.
“Voters should decide elections,” Murphy said. “Not lawyers, not technicalities, and not insider political games.”
Statement from Erica Miller, Senior Campaign Advisor
“Jess Murphy followed the law, exceeded the legal threshold, and had her petition deemed valid by the Board of Elections,” said Erica Miller. “Pat Halpin’s campaign is now attempting to overturn voter intent by targeting legitimate supporters through procedural challenges instead of earning support directly from voters.”
“We are meeting these voters face to face,” Miller continued. “They signed. They meant it. And they deserve to be heard.”
Murphy’s campaign will continue its appeal while working to ensure that every valid voter and every legitimate signature is respected.
About Jess Murphy
Jess Murphy is a Long Island native, housing professional, and Democratic candidate for Congress in New York’s 2nd District. After studying political science in Washington, D.C., Murphy campaigned for President Obama and gained experience on Capitol Hill working on democracy and economic policy. She has since built her career helping working families navigate housing, affordability, and economic opportunity.
Murphy is running for Congress to restore accountability in government, protect voting rights, lower costs for working families, and ensure democracy is driven by voters, not political insiders or special interests. Her campaign is grounded in direct voter engagement, transparency, and a commitment to making government work for the people it serves.
###
Reflections from the Reykjavík Global Forum: Power, Leadership, and the Path Forward
November 2025
Last week, I had the honor of attending the Reykjavík Global Forum – Women Leaders, a global gathering of more than 500 innovators, policymakers, and community builders dedicated to this year’s theme: “Power, Together for Change.”
The Forum brings together women from across sectors — government, nonprofit, business, diplomacy, academia — united by the belief that when women lead, communities thrive. Standing in that room, surrounded by women who are shaping the next era of leadership, was both humbling and profoundly energizing.
I’m deeply grateful to Running Start and Susannah Wellford for making this opportunity possible. Their support continues to fuel my commitment to gender equity, public service, and building a world where women not only access leadership — but sustain it, grow it, and use it to open doors for others.
A Renewed Sense of Purpose
This conference didn’t just inspire me — it clarified my mission.
As a millennial woman who has worked across public service, housing, community development, and global leadership spaces, I believe our generation has a responsibility to step forward with courage. We cannot wait for permission to lead. We cannot wait for systems to fix themselves. We must shape the future we want to inherit.
Listening to women from different continents share their experiences — their challenges, victories, and visions — reminded me why I chose a path of service in the first place.
It affirmed my belief that:
- Leadership belongs to those closest to the challenges.
- Collaboration is the most powerful tool we have.
- And the future will be built by those willing to do the work.
These principles guide everything I do — including my decision to run for Congress.
Bringing Global Insights Home to Long Island
The lessons from Reykjavík extend far beyond the conference walls. They strengthen my vision for NY-02:
- A Long Island where families can afford to stay and build their futures
- A community where women’s leadership isn’t the exception — it’s the norm
- A district that leads on affordability, opportunity, and equity
- A generation that refuses to settle for “the way things have always been”
Leadership is a global conversation — but its impact begins at home.
I am committed to bringing the insights, connections, and solutions from Reykjavík into my work with our communities here on Long Island. Together, we can build something stronger, fairer, and full of possibility.
This isn’t just a moment. It’s a movement. And I’m ready to continue that movement with all of you.