2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Cory Booker currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Opposition to the Trump administration's agenda, which he made the subject of his record-length Senate floor speech.
Responding to what he describes as voters' understandable anger at the Democratic Party itself.
Criminal justice reform, a long-running focus of his Senate work.
Civil rights and voting rights.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Senator from New Jersey since October 2013.
Mayor of Newark, 2006–2013.
Candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.
Delivered the longest speech in Senate history in April 2025 — 25 hours and 4 minutes — against the administration's agenda. It was not technically a filibuster, since it did not block a specific bill.
Had described the Senate filibuster as an 'abuse of power' in 2022.
Won the June 2 2026 Democratic primary decisively.
Arguments in favor
He held the Senate floor for 25 hours and 4 minutes — the longest speech in the chamber's history — to force attention onto the administration's agenda when his party had few other tools.
— Sen. Cory Booker, and WHYY reporting on the speech
He has said the speech came from listening to voters who are 'very understandably' angry at Democrats, which supporters cite as evidence he is not complacent about his own party.
— Sen. Cory Booker
Thirteen years in the Senate and seven as mayor of New Jersey's largest city give him a record on criminal justice and civil rights that his opponent, who has held only township office, cannot match.
— Cory Booker for Senate campaign
Arguments against
He condemned the Senate filibuster as an 'abuse of power' in 2022, then set the record for the longest floor speech in Senate history and let his party celebrate it as a filibuster.
— Fox News reporting on his 2022 statements
The speech was 'unimpressive' and hypocritical — a performance rather than legislating.
— The Oberlin Review, in an opinion piece
New Jersey needs tax cuts, reduced federal spending and policies that grow the private sector, none of which the incumbent has delivered in thirteen years.
— Justin Murphy, his Republican opponent
What we couldn’t verify
His specific third-term legislative priorities; coverage of this race has been minimal.
His current position on abolishing or reforming the filibuster.
Engaging China from a position of political and economic strength, which he describes as a serious threat to the United States.
Opposition to the legalisation of recreational marijuana.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Attorney; holds an LL.M.
U.S. Navy veteran.
Former member of the Tabernacle Township committee and deputy mayor of Tabernacle, Burlington County.
Has run for U.S. Senate in New Jersey before.
Won the June 2 2026 Republican primary with about 33%, defeating Richard Tabor, Alex Zdan and others.
Has not held office above the municipal level.
Arguments in favor
He is running on a straightforward economic platform — tax cuts, spending reductions and private sector growth — in a state with among the highest tax burdens in the country.
— Justin Murphy for Senate campaign, as reported by WHYY
He is a Navy veteran and attorney who has served in local government rather than a career politician.
— Justin Murphy for Senate campaign
Arguments against
He is a perennial candidate who has sought this seat before, and he won the nomination with only about a third of the primary vote.
— New Jersey Globe and Wikipedia's characterisation of his candidacies
His only elected experience is on the township committee of a small Pine Barrens municipality, in a state of over nine million people.
— New Jersey Globe reporting on his background
What we couldn’t verify
His positions on abortion, immigration and health care could not be established from sources located.
His campaign fundraising, which in an expensive media market is decisive.
Whether he has any national Republican support; no NRSC involvement in this race was found.
No attack material from the Booker campaign or New Jersey Democrats could be located, so arguments against him here come from reporting rather than from an opposing campaign.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Roster established from WHYY, NBC News, Ballotpedia and the New Jersey Globe, cross-checked. Justin Murphy won the June 2 2026 Republican primary with about 33% in a multi-candidate field; sources differ on that field, Ballotpedia listing Robert Lebovics, Richard Tabor and Alex Zdan while Wikipedia lists only Tabor and Zdan. Sources also differ on the Democratic primary: Wikipedia records Cory Booker as unopposed with 587,980 votes and 100%, while Ballotpedia lists Saxon Callahan, Chris Fields, Lisa McCormick and Gregory Richard Tomaini as also running. The likeliest explanation is that Ballotpedia lists filers who did not appear on or contest the final ballot, but this was not resolved; either way Booker won the nomination decisively. No third-party or independent candidate could be confirmed for the November ballot, though Wikipedia carries a section heading for them.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
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