U.S. Senate Race Explainer: Booker vs. Murphy Tops the New Jersey Ballot
Incumbent Sen. Cory Booker seeks another term against Republican Justin Murphy, with two additional candidates also on Tuesday's ballot.
New Jersey voters will decide a race for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, Nov. 3, one of the statewide contests at the top of the ballot. The incumbent is Cory Booker, a Democrat and former mayor of Newark who has represented New Jersey in the Senate for more than a decade. The Republican nominee is Justin Murphy. Also on the ballot are Veronica Fernandez and Joanne Kuniansky.
The Senate is closely divided nationally, which is why every individual race draws attention beyond its own state. Senators serve six-year terms and vote on federal legislation, judicial and executive nominations, and funding for programs that affect New Jersey directly, from transportation and infrastructure to health care and education. The winner on Tuesday will represent the entire state in Washington.
Booker's campaign has emphasized his record in the Senate and his work on issues including criminal justice, economic opportunity and New Jersey infrastructure priorities. Murphy's campaign has presented him as an alternative voice for voters who want a change in direction in Washington and has focused on the cost of living and federal spending. Voters can review each candidate's positions through their official campaign materials and the sample ballot information provided by the state.
In addition to the Senate race, all 12 of New Jersey's districts in the U.S. House of Representatives are electing members on Tuesday. House members serve two-year terms. Most of Jersey City votes in the 8th Congressional District, represented by Rep. Rob Menendez, but district lines vary by address, so check your sample ballot or Vote.NJ.gov to confirm which House race appears on your ballot.
Polls in New Jersey are open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Early in-person voting ended Nov. 1. If you still have a mail ballot, return it to a county drop box or board of elections by 8 p.m. Tuesday, or mail it postmarked by Election Day so it arrives within six days. However you vote, the Senate race will be decided by voters across the whole state, not by any single county.
