Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) will face Justin Murphy, the winner of the New Jersey Republican Senate primary, in his bid for re-election this November.
Booker, who ran unopposed in the Democratic Senate primary, is seeking a third term representing the Garden State in the Senate.
Murphy, who received about 33% of the vote, beat out surgeon Robert Lebovics, Army veteran Richard Tabor and former TV reporter Alex Zdan in the four-way race to challenge Booker.
Murphy, a former Tabernacle township committee member, previously ran an unsuccessful campaign for the 2024 New Jersey GOP Senate nomination.
“As I was honored to do in 2024, I dedicate this campaign to the men and women of our armed forces,” Murphy states on his campaign website. “I believe the American Military is the greatest force for good in our world, save religious institutions.”
Murphy also emphasized “our country’s culture, parental rights, healthcare system, and economic opportunity for all Americans.”
The GOP Senate nominee opposes the legalization of marijuana and other drugs; backs “aggressive deportation” of criminal migrants; believes China is “the most serious threat” facing the country; and supports President Trump’s efforts to boost domestic energy production.
Knocking off Booker in the midterms will be a tall task for Republicans.
The incumbent’s Senate seat is considered “solid” Democrat by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.
About 38% of registered voters in the Garden State are Democrats, compared to the 25% who are Republican. Another 36% are unaffiliated.
New Jersey voters also solidly supported former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race over President Trump, as well as Democrat Mikie Sherrill in her 2025 gubernatorial contest against Republican Jack Ciattarelli.
Booker, who is considered a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, won his 2020 Senate re-election race by about 17 percentage points.
New Jersey voters haven’t elected a Republican to the Senate since 1972.
