Cory Booker to Compete Against Navy Veteran in Senate Race

WHO:

Fox News - Cory Booker is a Democratic Senator from New Jersey.

Fox News - Justin Murphy is the winner of the New Jersey Republican Senate primary and a U.S. Navy veteran.

Fox News - Richard Tabor is a suspended New Jersey State Trooper and candidate in the GOP primary.

Fox News - Alex Zdan is a former News 12 New Jersey reporter and candidate in the GOP primary.

Fox News - Robert Lebovics is a physician and candidate in the GOP primary.

WHAT:

Fox News - Justin Murphy won the Republican U.S. Senate primary with a close race among the top three candidates, with 90% of the votes counted.

Fox News - Murphy states, "I will convey my Conservative principles with confidence, energy, and optimism. The last time New Jersey elected a Republican to the US Senate was 1972; my campaign represents a new day in New Jersey politics."

Fox News - Murphy describes himself as self-employed and identifies with middle-class voters, stating, "I know firsthand financial struggle, debt, and stress."

Fox News - Justin Murphy won the New Jersey Republican U.S. Senate primary.

Fox News - Murphy finished third in the 2024 GOP Senate nomination race.

Fox News - Murphy describes himself as a conservative, pro-Trump grassroots candidate.

Fox News - Murphy's campaign focuses on cleaning up pollution, protecting against windmill construction, parental rights, medical freedom, and improving Medicare for seniors.

Fox News - Cory Booker is running unopposed on the Democratic side for re-election.

WHERE:

Fox News - The Senate race is taking place in New Jersey.

WHEN:

Fox News - The general election is scheduled for November 2026.

Fox News - The Republican U.S. Senate primary took place on June 2, 2026.

WHY:

Fox News - Republicans aim to flip a Senate seat in New Jersey, where they have not won since 1972.

Fox News - Murphy states that his campaign represents a "new day in New Jersey politics."

HOW:

Fox News - Murphy received support from two county Republican organizations and campaigned under the slogan "American Conservative Republican."

(UPDATED June 3, 2026 16:31 UTC)

Justin Murphy has emerged victorious in the Republican U.S. Senate primary, winning a close race among the top three candidates with 90% of the votes counted. He expressed his commitment to conveying Conservative principles with confidence and optimism, emphasizing that his campaign marks a new day in New Jersey politics, where the last Republican senator was elected in 1972. Murphy, who describes himself as self-employed and relatable to middle-class voters, received support from two county Republican organizations and campaigned under the slogan "American Conservative Republican."

(UPDATED June 3, 2026 06:37 UTC)

Justin Murphy has emerged victorious in the New Jersey Republican U.S. Senate primary, positioning himself as a conservative, pro-Trump grassroots candidate focused on issues like pollution cleanup and parental rights. Meanwhile, Cory Booker is running unopposed for re-election on the Democratic side, setting the stage for a competitive general election scheduled for November 2026. Murphy's campaign, which has garnered support from two county Republican organizations, aims to flip a Senate seat in New Jersey that has eluded Republicans since 1972.