New Jersey Primaries

With the midterm elections coming up, the results are being watched by many, as it serves as an early signal of which party will control Congress after November. Every one of New Jersey's twelve U.S. House seats are on the ballot in 2026, along with one of the state's two Senate seats. The general election is November 3, 2026. The results will have a huge impact on the balance of power between the two parties for the second half of Trump’s term. 

The Senate Race

Democratic Senator Cory Booker is seeking a third full term and ran unopposed in his own primary. Additionally, he has a substantial financial advantage, with roughly $22 million on hand; notably, the state has not elected a Republican to the Senate since 1972.

On the Republican side, attorney and Navy veteran Justin Murphy emerged from a crowded four-way primary with roughly a third of the vote, narrowly ahead of state trooper Richard Tabor and former television reporter Alex Zdan. This is Murphy’s second attempt at the seat, with a placement of third in a 2024 primary bid. His campaign has been centered on tax cuts, reducing federal spending, and expanding domestic energy production, including nuclear power.

Nonpartisan forecasters rate the seat as solidly Democratic. 

House Races To Follow

• 2nd District: Democrat Zack Mullock will challenge four-term Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who switched parties in 2019. Democrats consider this district their clearest opportunity to flip a seat.

• 3rd District: Republican Michael McGuire, a Marine Corps veteran and former New York City police officer, will face Democratic incumbent Herb Conaway.

• 4th District: Democrat Rachel Peace is challenging longtime Republican Rep. Chris Smith in a district that has historically leaned Republican.

• 7th District: Rated a complete toss-up by nonpartisan analysts, this race pits Republican incumbent Tom Kean Jr., who is seeking a third term, against Democratic challenger Rebecca Bennett, a Navy veteran and former helicopter pilot. Kean's campaign has been shadowed by an unexplained months-long absence from House votes earlier in the year, and both national parties have named the race a top priority.

• 12th District: With Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman retiring, Army surgeon Adam Hamawy won the crowded Democratic primary and will face Republican Greg Mele for the open seat.