2026 United States Senate election in New Jersey

For related races, see 2026 United States Senate elections.

2026 United States Senate election in New Jersey
November 3, 2026
 
Party Democratic Republican
Incumbent U.S. senator

Cory Booker
Democratic



The 2026 United States Senate election in New Jersey will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of New Jersey. Primary elections will be held June 2, 2026. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Cory Booker, first elected in a 2013 special election and then re-elected in 2014 and 2020, has filed the necessary paperwork to seek reelection to a third full term in office.[1]

Background

New Jersey has historically been blue at the federal level largely due to its densely populated urban centers while suburban areas generally support Democratic candidates.[2] Both major parties have seen success at the statewide level: Democrats control the state legislature while Republicans previously controlled the governor's mansion after Republican Chris Christie was sworn into office after his election victory in the 2009 New Jersey gubernatorial election.[3]

In the 2024 presidential election, Democrat Kamala Harris was expected to easily win the state after Joe Biden won it by 15.93% in the 2020 presidential election.[4] However, Harris only won New Jersey by 5.91%, which was the narrowest margin Democrats have won in the state since 1992, where Clinton won by 2.37%. This was attributed to conservative shifts in Latino and minority voters in traditionally urban Democratic strongholds, with less turnout from Democrats from 2020.[5]

In the 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial election, Democratic U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill won by 14.36% despite expectations of a close race.[6] According to the 2025 CNN New Jersey exit poll, Latino voters who trended Republican in 2024 trended back Democrat in 2025, while urban and suburban voters who saw conservative shifts in 2024 helped boost Sherrill's large victory margin.[7]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

  • Cory Booker, incumbent U.S. senator (2013–present)[1]
  • Chris Fields, community organizer[8]
  • Alex Hammerli, podcaster and actor[9]
  • Lisa McCormick, activist and perennial candidate[10]

Filed paperwork

Endorsements

Cory Booker
Statewide officials
Political parties
Organizations

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2025
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Cory Booker (D) $30,106,071 $14,088,434 $21,904,744
Source: Federal Election Commission[32]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Potential

Declined

Endorsements

Justin Murphy
Political parties
Richard Tabor
Political parties
Alex Zdan
State legislators
Local officials
Individuals
Political parties
Declined to Endorse
Political parties

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2025
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Justin Murphy (R) $3,557 $2,087 $574
Source: Federal Election Commission[58]

County conventions

County convention results
Atlantic County Republican Convention (February 21)[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard Tabor 644 71.8%
Republican Alex Zdan 208 23.2%
Republican Justin Murphy 23 2.6%
Republican Natalie Rivera 22 2.5%
Total votes 897 100.0%

Independent candidates

Candidates

Filed paperwork

  • Nicholas Carducci, software engineer and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024[59]
  • Michael Estrada[60]

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
Inside Elections[61] Solid D August 12, 2025
The Cook Political Report[62] Solid D October 14, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball[63] Safe D August 12, 2025
Race To The WH[64] Safe D September 4, 2025

References

  1. ^ a b "FILING FEC-1766350". FEC. March 27, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  2. ^ Arco, Matt (May 28, 2017). "Your neighbors lean red or blue? How many Republicans and Democrats are in all 21 counties". NJ Advance Media. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  3. ^ "Official Tallies for Governor and Lieutenant Governor — 2009 General Election" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. December 1, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 22, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  4. ^ "2024 CPR Electoral College Ratings". The Cook Political Report. November 4, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  5. ^ Friedman, Matt; Han, Daniel (November 12, 2024). "New Jersey might be a swing state now". Politico. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  6. ^ Mike Catalini, Steve Peoples (September 30, 2025). "Democrats wary support may be sliding among typically loyal voters in New Jersey's governor's race". AP News. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  7. ^ "2025 New Jersey Exit Poll". CNN. December 2, 2025. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  8. ^ Fox, Joey (January 14, 2026). "Booker will face challenge from the left in this year's Senate primary". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  9. ^ "New Jersey Politics". Politics1. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  10. ^ Fox, Joey (February 20, 2026). "What Sunday's Hunterdon convention does – and doesn't – mean for the NJ-7 primary". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  11. ^ "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1924185". docquery.fec.gov. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
  12. ^ Fox, Joey (November 21, 2025). "Sherrill will support all N.J. congressional Dems for re-election". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
  13. ^ Fox, Joey (March 8, 2026). "Alexander narrowly beats Winder for Atlantic Dem endorsement". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  14. ^ Wildstein, David (February 28, 2026). "Chebra easily beats Moustakas for Burlington County Commissioner endorsement". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  15. ^ Fox, Joey (March 9, 2026). "Mullock gets home-county endorsement from Cape May Dems". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  16. ^ Blackburn, Zach (March 1, 2026). "Hunterdon Dems endorse Bennett in NJ-7 primary". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  17. ^ Fox, Joey (March 11, 2026). "Cohen easily wins Middlesex Dem endorsement for NJ-12". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  18. ^ Fox, Joey (February 7, 2026). "Monmouth Dems endorse Rachel Peace for NJ-4 at 2026's first county convention". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  19. ^ Fox, Joey (March 16, 2026). "Alexander, Peace get Ocean Dem endorsement for GOP-held House seats". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  20. ^ Fox, Joey (February 15, 2026). "Passaic Dems endorse Mejia for full term; Way doesn't screen for endorsement". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  21. ^ Wildstein, David (March 14, 2026). "In race to challenge Van Drew, Alexander wins Salem Dem endorsement in NJ-2". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  22. ^ Wildstein, David (March 14, 2026). "Brian Varela wins Sussex Dem convention in NJ-7 race". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  23. ^ Wildstein, David (February 8, 2026). "Union County Democrats back Mapp for Watson Coleman's House seat". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  24. ^ "Endorsed Candidates". AAPI Victory Fund. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  25. ^ "- AIPAC Political Portal". candidates.aipacpac.org. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  26. ^ "GIFFORDS endorses Cory Booker for reelection to U.S. Senate in New Jersey". giffords.org. August 29, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  27. ^ "Jewish Dems Endorsed Candidates". Jewish Democratic Council of America. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  28. ^ "Candidates". Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs.
  29. ^ "2025–2026 Endorsements". League of Conservation Voters. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  30. ^ "2026 Endorsements". Population Connection Action Fund. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  31. ^ "2026 Endorsements". Sierra Club Independent Action. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  32. ^ "CORY BOOKER FOR SENATE". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. January 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  33. ^ Wildstein, David (March 3, 2026). "Physician will enter GOP race to challenge Booker for U.S. Senate". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  34. ^ Fox, Joey (December 18, 2025). "Former Tabernacle committeeman will run for U.S. Senate again". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  35. ^ a b c d e f Wildstein, David (February 21, 2026). "Tabor defeats Zdan for U.S. Senate endorsement in Atlantic". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  36. ^ Wildstein, David (February 12, 2026). "Alex Zdan will challenge Cory Booker for U.S. Senate". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  37. ^ a b Fox, Joey (December 16, 2025). "The GOP's big 2026 question: who will run against Cory Booker?". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  38. ^ Wildstein, David (February 13, 2026). "Two others join GOP U.S. Senate race (Updated)". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  39. ^ Wildstein, David (January 12, 2026). "Bashaw will run for Cape May County Commissioner". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  40. ^ Wildstein, David (March 3, 2026). "Vinnie Brand says no to U.S. Senate bid vs. Booker". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  41. ^ Han, Daniel (December 11, 2025). "Durr planning comeback to Trenton, won't challenge Booker". Politico. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
  42. ^ Wildstein, David (February 12, 2026). "Testa passes on U.S. Senate bid against Booker". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  43. ^ a b Wildstein, David (March 1, 2026). "Gloucester GOP endorses Justin Murphy for U.S. Senate". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  44. ^ a b c d e Wildstein, David (March 3, 2026). "Mercer goes for Murphy in Senate race". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  45. ^ Wildstein, David (February 26, 2026). "Tabor beats Zdan for Hunterdon GOP U.S. Senate endorsement". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  46. ^ Wildstein, David (March 14, 2026). "Tabor wins big at Middlesex GOP convention". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  47. ^ Wildstein, David (March 9, 2026). "Tabor wins Ocean County Republican endorsement". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  48. ^ Wildstein, David (March 10, 2026). "In race to take on Booker, Tabor beats Zdan at Somerset GOP convention". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  49. ^ Fox, Joey (March 2, 2026). "Steinhardt backs Zdan for Senate". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  50. ^ "ALEX ZDAN FOR U.S. SENATE ANNOUNCES MERCER COUNTY ENDORSEMENTS". InsiderNJ. March 3, 2026. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  51. ^ Wildstein, David (March 9, 2026). "Pino defeats Burress at Bergen GOP convention; Zdan endorsed for U.S. Senate". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  52. ^ Wildstein, David (February 28, 2026). "Zdan wins Burlington GOP endorsement in bid to challenge Booker". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  53. ^ a b Wildstein, David (March 6, 2026). "Cape May GOP goes for Alex Zdan". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  54. ^ a b Wildstein, David (March 7, 2026). "Zdan wins Cumberland, Salem endorsements for U.S. Senate". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  55. ^ "Ewing GOP Endorses Alex Zdan for U.S. Senate". InsiderNJ. March 3, 2026. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  56. ^ Wildstein, David (February 11, 2026). "Alex Zdan will challenge Cory Booker for U.S. Senate". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  57. ^ Wildstein, David (March 19, 2026). "Morris GOP won't endorse in U.S. Senate primary". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  58. ^ "New Jersey - Senate". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. February 2026. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  59. ^ "FILING FEC-1789817". FEC. June 17, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  60. ^ "ESTRADA, MICHAEL – Candidate overview". FEC.gov. January 1, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  61. ^ "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  62. ^ "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  63. ^ "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  64. ^ "2026 Senate Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved March 19, 2025.

Official campaign websites

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