New Jersey Senate
Cory Booker (D) holds this seat and is running again. 4 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026. The Cook Political Report rates it safe Democratic.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Cory Booker
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 29 of 87 votes and bills.
Raised $21,275,163 since January 2025: 74% from people, 24% transfers and other income, 2% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Justin Murphy
Republican · attorney, navy veteran, former tabernacle township committeeman
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 5 principles. Graded on what Murphy has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Murphy.
Raised $68,189 since January 2025: 83% from people, 7% the candidate’s own money, 6% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Justin Murphy. Justin Murphy: A, 100 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Cory Booker: F, 26 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.
Justin Murphy, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Murphy, so the grade above comes from this list: what Murphy 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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His campaign site lists Iran with China and North Korea as hostile threats, without naming a policy toward Tehran.
“America faces an array of hostile foreign threats: communist government of China, Iran, and North Korea.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Calling the regime a threat names no sanctions, deal or action, so it does not settle this measure.
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His campaign site calls for ending ambiguity on defending Taiwan and continuing to arm Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.
“remove ambiguity as it relates to the defense of taiwan; continue to arm taiwan and our asian allies japan, south korea, and the philippines.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Taiwan against Beijing is the with side of this measure.
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His campaign site calls for abolishing the Internal Revenue Code and replacing it with a flat income tax of 10 to 12 percent.
“I advocate abolishing the Internal Revenue Code and enacting a flat-tax rate of 10% - 12%, to promote the economic growth needed in coming decades as we face more potent global economic competition.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
A lower flat income tax in place of the current code is the lower taxes side of this measure.
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His campaign site says he opposes government-run health care and wants health savings accounts and a national insurance market.
“I agree with those who want universal health coverage for Americans, however, I adamantly oppose government-run healthcare.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing government-run health care for all is the with side of this measure.
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His campaign site says DEI should be removed from the armed forces.
“All elements of political correctness and DEI should be removed from America's military.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Ending DEI in the military is the with side of this measure.
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His campaign site says the US military should be able to fight and win two wars at once.
“America's military should have the capacity to fight and win two wars simultaneously.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Building forces able to win two wars at once is the strong defence side of this measure.
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His campaign site calls for finishing the border wall, sending the military to both borders, ending catch and release and cutting aid to sanctuary cities.
“finish constructing the wall started during the trump administration deploy the us military to secure both the northern and southern borders”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
A border wall and military enforcement at the border are the with side of this measure.
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His campaign site backs withholding federal aid from sanctuary jurisdictions and letting local police take part in immigration enforcement.
“I believe in withholding federal aid to cities and states that declare themselves 'sanctuary for illegal aliens'. I support section 287 (g) of the INA (Immigration & Nationality Act) to permit state and local law enforcement involvement in immigration enforcement.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing sanctuary policies and enforcing immigration law are the with side of this measure.
Also on the ballot
Veronica Fernandez (Independent), Joanne Kuniansky (Socialist Workers).
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. Race rating: the Cook Political Report, November 2, 2026. 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 Senate
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