ASBURY PARK - Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Phil Murphy picked up the endorsement Wednesday of Garden State Equality, the state's largest LGBT advocacy organization.

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"The choice for our community could not be clearer," said Christian Fuscarino, the group's executive director, as he stood alongside Murphy on the Asbury Park Boardwalk. You can see a video of the press conference above this story.

Fuscarino said Murphy's leadership would be needed to help fight the Trump administration's agenda in Washington, particularly on health care.

"In a time when the (Affordable Care Act) is at risk of being repealed; in a time when the White House refuses, won't even acknowledge our community and continues to put viciously anti-LGBT people in positions of power; in a time when trans folks are denied basic dignity and respect from our state government, it is time for a governor who has our back and his name is Phil Murphy."

The organization has hosted roundtables with gubernatorial candidates throughout the spring and early summer.

You can view a video of Murphy's meeting with the group below.

Murphy, a former U.S. Ambassador to Germany and Goldman Sachs executive, said the fight for marriage equality was not the end of the battle for LGBT civil rights.

"There was a feeling that there was an end of history with marriage, that we could close the book and move on," Murphy said.

He outlined a number of issues he said he'd prioritize if elected, including health care access, providing help for homeless LGBT youth and providing more access to capital for LGBT-owned businesses.

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"This notion that we have a two-system state, a two-tier state, a two-class state – that has to become a thing of the past," Murphy said. "We all have to face the reality that we have a flat-out hostile president and administration in Washington, so we all have to band together."

Murphy's Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, has made overtures to the LGBT community throughout her campaign, including speaking at Garden State Equality's election night party in November and attending its annual Equality Ball.

On Wednesday, a Guadagno campaign spokesman attacked Murphy's economic policies when responding to news of the Garden State Equality endorsement.

"As she said in her speech on a primary night, Kim Guadagno's campaign is about making our state more affordable for all New Jerseyans regardless of race, background or sexual orientation," said Guadagno campaign spokesman Ricky Diaz.

"But if Goldman Sachs millionaire Phil Murphy is elected, there won’t be any New Jerseyans left since he will raise taxes so high that everyone except Phil Murphy will have to move to another state because they can’t afford it here anymore.”

Austin Bogues 732-643-4009; abogues@gannettnj.com.