Gov. Phil Murphy will appear at the campaign kickoff Monday morning for Rep. Donald Norcross (D-Camden), a move that likely rules out any attempt by progressives to challenge him in the Democratic primary.

Murphy has had a bifurcated relationship with the South Jersey congressman and his brother, Democratic power broker George Norcross, in the past. He endorsed Donald Norcross’s re-election to the House nearly a year before the 2020 primary, even though he was feuding with Donald Norcross.

A progressive, music teacher Mario DeSantis, is the only announced candidate against Norcross in the upcoming primary in June. DeSantis had issued a challenge to Senate Speaker Steve Sweeney in the 2021 primary, but his campaign fizzled a day later when he couldn’t get enough signatures on his nomination petition to win a spot on the ballot.

Norcross, a former AFL-CIO president from South Jersey who served as a senator and state assemblyman, won a 2014 special election for Congress in New Jersey’s 1st District following a the resignation of Representative Rob Andrews (D-Bellmawr).

The Norcross kick-off is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Camden County College in Blackwood.

The favorite for the Republican nomination to face Norcross is his 2020 opponent, former Collingswood School Board member Claire Gustafson. She has already won endorsements from GOP county chairmen in Camden and Gloucester counties, and from state Sen. Edward Durr (R-Swedesboro).

Newcomer Elaine DeAngelo, a former Sewell bank loan officer, is also seeking the green light from the GOP.