New Jersey Republicans have chosen a challenger to take on Democratic Sen. Cory Booker this fall, setting the stage for a race that will test whether the GOP can make gains in a state that has long resisted Republican Senate candidates.
According to Fox News, attorney and Navy veteran Justin Murphy secured the Republican nomination Tuesday night after a closely watched primary contest that remained tight among the leading candidates as votes were counted.
With roughly 90% of ballots tallied, Murphy emerged ahead of suspended New Jersey State Trooper Richard Tabor and former News 12 New Jersey reporter Alex Zdan. Physician Robert Lebovics finished behind the other contenders.
Murphy is no stranger to statewide politics. The Tabernacle resident previously sought the Republican Senate nomination in 2024 but finished a distant third. He returned this cycle with another bid, presenting himself as a conservative, grassroots candidate aligned with President Donald Trump’s political movement.
A former deputy mayor in Tabernacle and local Republican committeeman, Murphy campaigned on issues including environmental concerns, opposition to expanding wind energy projects, parental rights, medical freedom, and Medicare reform.
On his campaign website, Murphy described his candidacy as an opportunity to reshape New Jersey politics.
“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,” Murphy said.
He also emphasized his experience as a small-business owner.
“Being self-employed, I can identify with middle-class voters. I know firsthand financial struggle, debt, and stress. I know the long hours and countless weeks without a paycheck that many small business owners experience as a normal part of their working adult lives. Small business owners will have no better friend in Washington.”
Murphy now advances to face Booker, one of the Democratic Party’s most recognizable senators and a frequent critic of President Donald Trump.
Booker, who first won the Senate seat in a 2013 special election, faced no opposition in the Democratic primary as he seeks another term. He was re-elected in 2020 by more than 16 percentage points.
The Republican primary unfolded without a Trump endorsement. While the president weighed in on several New Jersey congressional races ahead of Election Day, he did not back a candidate in the Senate contest.
Murphy did receive support from two county Republican organizations and appeared on some county ballots under the slogan “American Conservative Republican.”
The general election will be closely watched, but history presents a challenge for Republicans. New Jersey has not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate in more than five decades, and early race ratings have generally categorized Booker’s seat as safely Democratic heading into November.
