NEW JERSEY — November 3, 2026 — Democratic U.S. Senator Cory Booker has won reelection in New Jersey, defeating Republican challenger Justin Murphy and securing a third full six-year term in the United States Senate, according to a race call by the Associated Press.
The victory was announced shortly after polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday, marking one of the first major election results of the night in New Jersey.
Booker, a former mayor of Newark who has represented New Jersey in the Senate since 2013, will begin his new term in January 2027.
Associated Press Calls the Race for Booker
The Associated Press projected Booker’s victory shortly after voting ended across New Jersey.
His opponents included Republican Justin Murphy, independent candidate Veronica Fernandez, and Socialist Workers Party candidate Joanne Kuniansky.
Murphy, a U.S. Navy veteran, attorney, and former deputy mayor of Tabernacle, campaigned as the Republican alternative to the longtime Democratic senator.
The AP race call establishes Booker as the projected winner, although the official certification process and final vote totals will follow the completion of ballot counting.
Booker’s Political Career Began in Newark
Booker entered national politics after serving on the Newark City Council and later as mayor of New Jersey’s largest city from 2006 to 2013.
He was first elected to the U.S. Senate in an October 2013 special election following the death of Senator Frank Lautenberg.
Booker subsequently won his first full six-year term in 2014 and was reelected in 2020.
His latest victory extends his Senate career into a third full term and maintains Democratic representation in one of New Jersey’s two U.S. Senate seats.
New Jersey voters have not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since 1972.
Affordability and Economic Issues Shaped the Campaign
During his reelection campaign, Booker emphasized the cost of living, tax relief for working families, and federal investment in New Jersey.
One of his proposals, known as the Keep Your Pay Act, seeks to eliminate federal income taxes on the first $75,000 of household income for most tax filers while expanding the child tax credit.
The proposal remains a legislative initiative rather than an enacted tax change.
Booker has also highlighted his work on criminal justice reform, including the bipartisan First Step Act, and his support for federal infrastructure funding.
Among the projects receiving attention is the Hudson Tunnel Project, a major transportation investment intended to improve rail connections between New Jersey and New York.
Murphy challenged Booker’s record and presented himself as an alternative on federal spending, economic policy, and government accountability.
What the Result Means for New Jersey
Booker’s reelection ensures continuity in one of the state’s two Senate seats as the next Congress prepares to take office.
New Jersey will continue to be represented by Booker alongside fellow Democratic Senator Andy Kim, who was elected in 2024.
The state’s senators will face major decisions involving federal spending, transportation funding, healthcare, energy policy, immigration, and other national issues.
The outcome also contributes to the broader national contest for control of the U.S. Senate, with both parties competing for seats across the country.
However, Booker’s victory alone does not determine which party will control the chamber.
A Decisive Election Night Result
The Senate race was called shortly after the polls closed, giving New Jersey one of its earliest confirmed projected winners on election night.
While final vote totals and county-by-county results are still subject to counting and certification, the Associated Press has projected Booker as the winner.
With his reelection secured, Cory Booker will return to Washington for another six-year term, continuing a Senate career that began in 2013 and extending Democratic control of New Jersey’s seat through January 2033.
Sources: Associated Press – Cory Booker Wins Reelection; New Jersey Monitor, November 3, 2026; FOX 29 Philadelphia, November 3, 2026; New Jersey Division of Elections – Official Candidate List.
By NJ RADAR Team