Justin
Murphy
Republican nominee Justin Murphy, a Burlington County attorney and Navy veteran, challenges Sen. Cory Booker for New Jersey's U.S. Senate seat in 2026.
- sources
- 16
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 7
Background
Justin Murphy is a Republican attorney from Tabernacle, Burlington County, New Jersey, running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Cory Booker in the November 3, 2026 election. He won a four-way Republican primary in June 2026 to become the GOP nominee. 1211
Murphy enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 and served four years aboard the USS Comte De Grasse. He earned a B.A. from Rowan College, a J.D. from Widener University School of Law (2000), and an LL.M. from the University of Oklahoma (2018–2020). He has practiced law since 2006, with work spanning estate law, real estate, contracts, energy consulting, and EB-5 economic development. 12
He previously served in local government, having been elected to the Tabernacle Township Committee in November 2000 and serving a three-year term (2001–2003) as a committeeman and deputy mayor. 1211
Murphy debated incumbent Senator Cory Booker on October 8, 2026, in an event co-sponsored by the New Jersey Globe and Rider University. 96
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. Senate, New Jersey
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Attorney
- Website
- jerseyjustin4senate.org(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Date unknownendorsementCamden, Gloucester, and Mercer County GOP organizations endorse Murphy
The Republican organizations in Camden, Gloucester, and Mercer Counties endorsed Justin Murphy ahead of the Republican primary.
Justin Murphy | Biography & Record — The Conservative Ledger · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 10newsMurphy tells Newsmax Republicans offer a 'Better Tomorrow' than Democrats
In a Newsmax appearance on October 10, Murphy argued that Republicans offer a better future than Democrats, reiterating campaign platform positions including making the Department of Government Efficiency permanent and withholding federal aid from sanctuary cities.
Murphy to Newsmax: Republicans Offer 'Better Tomorrow' Than Democrats · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9newsMurphy clashes with Booker over Iran war and sanctuary cities; fundraising gap highlighted
Post-debate coverage highlighted Murphy's support for Trump's Iran war policy and his opposition to sanctuary jurisdictions. Federal finance figures showed Murphy had raised about $27,000 with ~$122 cash on hand, versus Booker's $33 million raised and $23 million on hand. Murphy acknowledged the gap, saying 'we're not gonna out-fundraise Cory Booker.'
Sen. Cory Booker debated South Jersey Republican Justin Murphy ... · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8debateMurphy and Booker face off in only scheduled general-election Senate debate at Rider University
Booker and Murphy debated at Rider University on October 8, hosted by the New Jersey Globe and Rider University and carried by C-SPAN. Topics included President Trump, the Iran war, the economy, and immigration. Murphy supported Trump's decision to go to war with Iran and voiced strong opposition to sanctuary policies.
New Jersey U.S. Senate Debate · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30newsMurphy holds Cumberland County town hall touting pro-2A, pro-life, parental rights platform
A September 30 campaign event in Cumberland County described Murphy as 'Pro 2A,' 'Pro Parental Rights,' and 'Pro Life,' and highlighted platform positions including abolishing the IRS and Department of Education.
Justin Murphy for US Senate - Town Hall - Cumberland County - Justin for U.S. Senate 2026 - New Jersey · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 12pollPoll shows Booker leading Murphy 49%–43% in NJ-7 district survey
An InsiderNJ/StimSight Research poll conducted September 8–12 among 498 likely voters in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District found Booker leading Murphy 49%–43%, with a margin of error of ±4.7%. The poll was district-level, not statewide.
Poll: NJ-7 race is too close to call - New Jersey Globe · Sep 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 2newsMurphy wins four-way Republican primary with 33.4% of the vote
Justin Murphy won the Republican primary on June 2, 2026, receiving 82,272 votes (33.4%), securing the GOP nomination for the November 3 general election against Sen. Cory Booker.
Justin Murphy | Biography & Record — The Conservative Ledger · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - May 21endorsementNJ Right to Life PAC recommends Murphy and primary rival Richard Tabor
The New Jersey Right to Life PAC issued a recommendation for both Justin Murphy and primary rival Richard Tabor on May 21, 2026.
Justin Murphy | Biography & Record — The Conservative Ledger · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - May 14endorsementRadio host Bill Spadea endorses Murphy
New Jersey radio host Bill Spadea endorsed Justin Murphy on May 14, 2026, ahead of the Republican primary.
Justin Murphy | Biography & Record — The Conservative Ledger · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jan 2filingMurphy files federal statement of candidacy for New Jersey U.S. Senate race
Justin Murphy filed his federal statement of candidacy on January 2, 2026, launching his bid for the Republican nomination for New Jersey's U.S. Senate seat.
Justin Murphy | Biography & Record — The Conservative Ledger · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Middlesex County Republican Organization organizationListed Murphy as its endorsed U.S. Senate candidate on its 2026 endorsed-candidates page; no endorsement date given. middlesexgopnj.org
- National Right to Life organizationAnnounced its endorsement of Murphy on June 18, 2026, for the general election. nrlc.org · Jun 18, 2026
- New Jersey Right to Life PAC organizationEndorsed Murphy for the general election; confirmed in the National Right to Life announcement dated June 18, 2026. The PAC's own endorsement date was not established. nrlc.org · Jun 18, 2026
- Bill Spadea otherNJ 101.5 radio host endorsed Murphy for the Republican nomination on May 14, 2026, writing 'I proudly voted for Justin Murphy to win the June 2 primary.' nj1015.com · May 14, 2026
- Camden County Republican Party organizationEndorsed Murphy before the primary; New Jersey Globe reported on March 4, 2026 that Murphy had won the Camden and Gloucester committees' backing, along with Mercer's. insidernj.com · Mar 4, 2026
- Mercer County Republican Party organizationEndorsed Murphy at its convention on March 3; New Jersey Globe reported the next day that he had won its backing. insidernj.com · Mar 3, 2026
- Gloucester County Republican Party organizationEndorsed Murphy before the primary; New Jersey Globe reported that the county organization endorsed him around March 1. newjerseyglobe.com · Mar 1, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $27K
- Spent
- $26K
- Cash on hand
- $123
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S4NJ00532(opens in a new tab)
Sources 16
- [1] Murphy to Newsmax: Republicans Offer 'Better Tomorrow' Than Democrats(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [2] Cory Booker, Justin Murphy split on Iran war, economy ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Sen. Cory Booker debated South Jersey Republican Justin Murphy ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [4] Senate candidates Booker and Murphy clash over Iran War ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [5] Senate candidates Booker and Murphy clash over Iran War in Globe ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [6] New Jersey U.S. Senate Debate(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [7] Our 2026 Endorsed Candidates(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [8] Justin Murphy for US Senate - Town Hall - Cumberland County - Justin for U.S. Senate 2026 - New Jersey(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [9] Justin Murphy | Biography & Record — The Conservative Ledger(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [10] Poll: NJ-7 race is too close to call - New Jersey Globe(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026
- [11] Justin Murphy backs SAVE Act after noncitizens added to N.J. voter rolls - New Jersey Globe(opens in a new tab) Jul 25, 2026
- [12] National Right to Life, in conjunction with New Jersey ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 18, 2026
- [13] How party slogans and ballot draws defined many of New Jersey's ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 13, 2026
- [14] Frustrated NJ conservatives are searching for Booker challenger — one candidate stood out(opens in a new tab) May 14, 2026
- [15] Murphy Scores Backing of the Mercer Republican Committee(opens in a new tab) Mar 4, 2026
- [16] Justin Murphy — official campaign website(opens in a new tab) Dec 30, 2025