New Jersey 3rd District
Herb Conaway (D) holds this seat and is running again. 4 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Herb Conaway
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 15 of 43 votes and bills.
Raised $1,152,632 since January 2025: 55% from PACs and other committees, 45% from people. The filing at FEC.gov
Michael McGuire
Republican · Marine Corps veteran, former NYPD officer, family law attorney
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 5 principles. Graded on what McGuire has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for McGuire.
Raised $221,324 since January 2025: 86% from people, 9% the candidate’s own money, 4% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Michael McGuire. Michael McGuire: A, 100 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Herb Conaway: F, 29 out of 100 from recorded votes.
Voting in New Jersey: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Michael McGuire, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for McGuire, so the grade above comes from this list: what McGuire has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Says the Islamic Republic's attacks on shipping need decisive, targeted deterrence but not another protracted, expensive intervention.
“require decisive, targeted deterrence, but not another protracted, trillions-dollar intervention.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
He backs some action but rules out a long intervention and names no sanctions, deal or strike, so the words do not settle the measure.
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Wrote that the recent strikes on Iran restore deterrence and that applying maximum pressure on the Islamic Republic protects allies such as Israel.
“Iran is the head of the snake, and by applying maximum pressure, we protect our allies like Israel and stabilize the region.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing maximum pressure on the Islamic Republic and the strikes on it is on the with side of the Iran regime measure.
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Says the United States must keep security cooperation with Israel and support it with weapons systems such as the Iron Dome.
“The United States must maintain steady security cooperation, ironclad intelligence sharing, and weapons systems support like the Iron Dome”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing weapons support for Israel is with liberty on free nations.
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Says he wants to lift the cap on the state and local tax deduction and expand the child tax credit.
“lifting the cap on the state and local tax [SALT] deduction to stop double-taxing New Jersey homeowners, expanding the child tax credit”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Naming tax cuts (a larger SALT deduction and a bigger child credit) is with liberty on free markets.
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Wrote that he opposes a government takeover of health care that would destroy private options.
“I will oppose any government takeover that would destroy private options and lead to rationing.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing government-run health care is with liberty on free markets.
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Wrote that he wants a dominant military with overwhelming readiness, and to modernize it for threats such as China.
“a dominant military that ensures peace through overwhelming readiness”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing a dominant, modernized military is with liberty on defense.
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Says the federal government must stop trafficking networks and the flow of illicit fentanyl into towns, in a passage about border security.
“to dismantle international trafficking networks and stop the deadly influx of illicit fentanyl into our towns.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
The quoted words name trafficking and fentanyl but not the border, wall or deportations, so they do not settle the measure.
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Wrote that a country needs a border, that illegal immigration strains local resources, and that the laws on the books must be enforced.
“Without a border, we don't have a country.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border and enforcing the law is with liberty on borders.
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Said in a statement that he wants to secure the border while giving people who immigrate legally a chance at citizenship.
“This is about being smart and fair, securing our border while giving people who do it the right way a real chance to become citizens”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border while keeping citizenship for those who follow the law is with liberty on borders.
Also on the ballot
Ryan Kelly (Independent), Steven Welzer (Green).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
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Discussion
New Jersey 3rd District
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