Republican U.S. Senate candidate Justin Murphy, who is challenging Democratic Sen. Cory Booker this fall, has endorsed the Trump administration’s effort to restrict mail-in voting after the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for portions of the administration’s executive order to move forward.
“I support anything that makes the system better,” Murphy said at a town hall hosted by the Morris County Republican Committee and moderated by Morris County Commissioner Stephen Shaw.
Murphy said his support for the administration’s effort stems from concerns about how mail-in ballots are handled before they are counted.
“Chain of custody is what we need to worry about,” Murphy said.
Murphy also cited the roughly 6,600 people who indicated they were not U.S. citizens but were erroneously added to New Jersey’s voter rolls between June 2023 and June 2024. He pointed to Arizona and Georgia, where election procedures have faced sustained scrutiny from Republicans in recent years.
Murphy insisted that his position is not intended to give either party an electoral advantage.
“I don’t want a system that favors Republicans; I don’t want a system that favors Democrats,” Murphy said. “I want a system that’s fair.”
Murphy also reaffirmed his support for the SAVE Act, which would require applicants to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. He has made election integrity a central issue in his campaign against Booker, who is seeking a third full term in the Senate.
During the town hall, Murphy also endorsed a flat income tax for all Americans. On foreign policy, he expressed support for Ukraine and said he believes its war with Russia will end soon.
Booker, meanwhile, concluded his annual 21-county tour today, highlighting his work on New Jersey priorities in the Senate. Since launching the tradition 13 years ago, Booker has used the tours to spotlight federal investments, promote local priorities and strengthen partnerships with organizations, businesses and industries across the state.
“Every stop on this tour reminded me why I love this job,” Booker said. “I met extraordinary people in every corner of our state who are caring for their neighbors, lifting up their communities, and showing what is possible when we come together. I end this tour with deep gratitude and even more Jersey pride. It is the honor of my life to represent New Jersey in Washington, and I’ll never stop fighting for the people of our state.”
The only debate between Booker and Murphy is set for October 8 and will be sponsored by the New Jersey Globe and Rider University.
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