Underdog Republican Justin Murphy to face Cory Booker with negative balance in campaign account
Republican Justin Murphy will challenge incumbent Sen. Cory Booker in the 2026 New Jersey Senate race, despite having a negative cash balance of -$23.71. Murphy, who previously placed third in the 2024 Senate Republican primary, is optimistic about appealing to younger voters. However, he faces significant challenges, including Booker's substantial financial advantage and the historical difficulty Republicans have had in winning Senate seats in New Jersey.
- ▪Justin Murphy has a cash-on-hand balance of -$23.71 according to Federal Election Commission data.
- ▪Cory Booker has over $22.6 million in cash on hand for his campaign.
- ▪Murphy earned 33% of the vote in the recent primary, surpassing his three opponents.
- ▪New Jersey has not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since 1972.
- ▪The Cook Political Report considers the race a solidly Democratic seat.
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Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) now has his general election opponent for the 2026 New Jersey Senate race: Republican Justin Murphy, whose cash-on-hand balance is currently in the red. Murphy, an attorney, former local politician, and 2024 Senate candidate, has -$23.71 in cash on hand, according to Federal Election Commission data from May 13. After previously placing third in the 2024 Senate Republican primary, Murphy surged at the ballot box this year, earning 33% of the vote and besting his three primary opponents.
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