Justin Murphy Wins Republican Primary, Set to Challenge Cory Booker in Senate Race

<p>Justin Murphy won New Jersey’s Republican U.S. Senate primary on June 2, 2026, positioning himself for a general election against Democratic Senator Cory Booker. This marks a significant moment as Republicans have not won a U.S. Senate race in New Jersey since 1972.</p><p>With 90% of the votes counted, Murphy led the primary, followed by suspended New Jersey State Trooper Richard Tabor and former News 12 New Jersey reporter Alex Zdan. Physician Robert Lebovics finished last.</p><p>Murphy is an attorney and U.S. Navy veteran from Tabernacle, New Jersey. He previously served as a local committeeman and ran unsuccessfully for the GOP Senate nomination in 2024, finishing third. He has positioned himself as a conservative, pro-Trump grassroots candidate in this election cycle.</p><p>Murphy faces a challenging race against Booker, who is a prominent Senate Democrat and has been a vocal critic of former President Trump. Booker is running unopposed in the Democratic primary as he seeks re-election after first winning the seat in a 2013 special election. The Republican Party is aiming to flip the seat, but historical trends indicate a tough battle, as they have not secured a Senate victory in New Jersey for over five decades.</p><p>According to the New Jersey Globe, Murphy describes himself as self-employed and is a former deputy mayor of Tabernacle. His campaign focuses on issues such as environmental protection, parental rights, medical freedom, and improving Medicare for seniors. He stated on his campaign website, "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."</p><p>The GOP primary did not feature a clear Trump-backed candidate, as Trump did not endorse anyone in New Jersey’s Republican Senate primary. Murphy received backing from two county Republican organizations and campaigned under the slogan "American Conservative Republican." The upcoming general election will be a test for Republicans in a state that has historically been challenging for GOP Senate candidates. Booker won re-election in 2020 by over 16 points, and early race ratings indicate that the seat is considered safely Democratic heading into November.</p>