NEW MILFORD, NJ — A Republican Assembly candidate running to represent the 38th Legislative District has withdrawn from the race, switched political parties and endorsed Phil Murphy for governor because Republicans have not made helping domestic violence survivors a priority.

Matthew Seymour of New Milford announced the move Thursday afternoon. He has volunteered assisting domestic violence victims for nine years. "As those who know me best understand, no issue is dearer to my heart. As a husband and father to a young daughter, I believe it is imperative to empower and protect women and children," Seymour said. "While my ideas may have resonated with voters, I am disappointed that many in Republican Party leadership have not embraced prioritizing this issue."

One of Seymour's top priorities if elected was to bring a family justice center to Bergen and Passaic counties to help victims. Such places have been recognized by the federal Department of Justice as "an ideal model for domestic violence intervention and prevention," he said. "Providing safety and support to individuals and families who have suffered so much must be an issues that we can all come together to work on," Seymour said in his statement. "I am confidence the Bergen County Democrats will put this issue at the forefront."

Seymour also endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy in his statement. "During the course of the campaign, I have found Phil Murphy to share many of my core values, including protecting women, children and families from abuse and domestic violence," Murphy said, who also endorsed District 38 incumbents Senator Bob Gordon and assemblymen Tim Eustace and Joe Lagana, who "share these core values and are fiscally conservative and socially progressive."

Seymour said he looks forward to working with Bergen County Executive James Tedesco and Murphy to continue to try and bring a justice center to Bergen County.

Seymour got into a conflict with then-Congressman Robert Torricelli as a senior in high school. He applied for admission into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, but according to a New York Times story, Seymour was told his application was not valid because Torricelli had already filled the five slots available for cadets in his district. Seymour blamed Torricelli in a newspaper article for "ruining his dream." Torricelli said that Seymour lacked character necessary to be a cadet.

New Jersey's 38th Legislative District covers parts of Bergen and Passaic counties. Municipalities in the district are: Bergenfield, Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Hasbrouck Heights, Hawthorne, Lodi, Maywood, New Milford, Oradell, Paramus, River Edge,Rochelle Park and Saddle Brook. Email daniel.hubbard@patch.com. Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.