The all-out war South Jersey power broker George Norcross III declared against Gov. Phil Murphy this week won’t just be a battle of words between the two Democrats. It will be a political firefight.

Norcross, who’s at the center of criticism over how his company and other entities tied to him allegedly benefitted from lucrative tax incentives, all but said Murphy can expect to face a Democratic primary challenge when he is up for re-election in 2021.

“Whether it materializes or not, I have no idea,” Norcross said in a wide-ranging phone interview Wednesday with NJ Advance Media in which he accused the governor of being a “liar” who’s “politically incompetent.”

But Norcross insisted there’s plenty of support among members of Murphy’s own party to mount a challenge against him.

“I don’t think George Norcross is gonna have to offer any kind of advocacy for an opposition to the governor because from conversations that I’ve had from political leaders and legislative leaders, and other county governmental leaders, this governor has very little political support,” Norcross said.

He added: "I’ve never seen a governor of either party who is so despised by individuals in their own party."

The governor’s office declined to comment on Norcross’ suggestion of a primary challenge.

His attacks against Murphy came in response to the governor’s special task force that was set up to investigate the New Jersey Economic Development Authority in connection with the state’s tax incentives program during former Gov. Chris Christie’s tenure.

At the heart of the claims that prompted Norcross to speak out publicly are disclosures that were made at a EDA task force hearing last week that focused almost exclusively on how tens of millions of dollars in tax incentives had been awarded to companies and a non-profit associated with Norcross in Camden, where is chairman of Conner Strong & Buckelew, an insurance brokerage, and chairman of Cooper Health System.

The hearing came on the heels of reports by WNYC and ProPublica, and The New York Times, which put a spotlight on how EDA incentives helped Norcross projects in Camden and other clients of Parker McKay, the New Jersey-based law firm run by Norcross’ brother Philip Norcross.

WNYC and ProPublica reported that of the $1.6 billion in tax breaks for companies that agreed to make a capital investment in Camden, at least $1.1 billion went to businesses or charities connected to Norcross or people in his orbit.

Norcross derided the governor’s task force investigating New Jersey’s tax incentive programs as a “McCarthy-like” commission seeking only to smear people.

So what of that possible primary challenge to Murphy, would Norcross support his powerful ally, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester — who toyed with a gubernatorial run in 2018 — if he goes after Murphy in the next election?

“I support whatever Steve Sweeney’s decisions as to what he wants to do with his political career — whatever that might be,” Norcross said.

And if Sweeney, D-Gloucester, doesn’t run, would Norcross support somebody else?

“We have a big party in southern New Jersey,” he responded. “Obviously, from a party perspective, people are going to decide who is best suited to run the state.”

If a political war between Norcross and Murphy spirals out of control it would reach far beyond Trenton, where Sweeney has enough political power to derail major parts of Murphy’s agenda.

Norcross, meanwhile, said he’s not going anywhere, despite the hits he’s been taking in the EDA fight. “You take a licking and keep on ticking. Im going to be here for hopefully many years to come,” he promised.

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook.

Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Facebook: @TedSherman.reporter.

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