$135,000 for a Painting? Outrage Grows Over Gov. Phil Murphy’s Official Portrait Cost

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Trenton NJ, New Jersey taxpayers are footing the bill for Governor Phil Murphy’s official Statehouse portrait, and the six-figure price tag is raising eyebrows across the state.

According to a contract obtained by POLITICO via a public records request, the painting—commissioned for the Trenton Statehouse and crafted by a world-renowned artist—will cost state taxpayers approximately $135,000.

The figure makes Murphy’s portrait significantly more expensive than those of his immediate predecessors, sparking immediate backlash from state lawmakers and fiscal conservatives.

How Does the $135K Price Tag Compare?

The cost of gubernatorial portraits in New Jersey has climbed steadily over recent administrations, but Murphy’s painting sets a new high:

Phil Murphy: $135,000
Chris Christie: $85,000 (a figure previously labeled “an outrageous amount” by Vanity Fair)
Jon Corzine & Richard Codey: Lower amounts reflecting earlier state budget allocations.

GOP and Critics Push Back

The New Jersey Assembly GOP quickly seized on the disclosure, taking to social media to highlight what else $135,000 could cover in the Garden State. Lawmakers noted that the portrait’s price tag is equivalent to:

Nearly the governor’s full annual official salary.
Roughly two full years of salary for a starting teacher in many New Jersey school districts.
Significant funding toward long-awaited cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for retired public employees.

Where Is the Money Coming From?

A spokesperson for the New Jersey Department of the Treasury confirmed that the artwork will be funded through state dollars set aside in Governor Murphy’s final state budget. Specifically, the expenditure comes out of a $250,000 allocation earmarked for transition expenses between gubernatorial administrations.

While official portraits remain a long-standing tradition for outgoing governors, critics argue that six-figure spending on ceremonial art is out of touch with residents grappling with high property taxes and living costs.

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