Republicans praise Murphy’s debate performance against Booker

Two Republican state lawmakers are praising U.S. Senate candidate Justin Murphy’s performance in last week’s debate against Democratic incumbent Cory Booker, particularly his remarks on the war in Iran that have since gone viral on social media.

Assemblymen Mike Inganamort (R-Chester) and Alex Sauickie (R-Jackson) said Murphy delivered a strong performance in a race that had attracted little attention before the debate.

“I thought he knocked it out of the park,” Sauickie said. “I don’t think anyone was quite ready for the response that he gave; I thought it was spot on.”

Murphy’s comments on Iran have generated millions of social media views, bringing newfound attention to a Senate contest that had been largely overshadowed by more competitive races.

Sauickie said Murphy clearly prevailed in several exchanges with Booker, particularly the one that has attracted national attention.

“There’s certain parts I don’t even know if you’d call it a debate,” Sauickie said. “I think he absolutely won the discussion, most notably the one that’s since gone viral.”

Sauickie said Murphy’s performance surpassed his expectations.

“My expectations for him were higher going in, but I think he exceeded expectations,” he said.

Inganamort, who has sponsored legislation to restrict New Jersey’s dealings with companies involved in Iran’s energy sector, praised Murphy’s aggressive stance toward the Iranian government.

“I give Justin Murphy a lot of credit for his strong answer on Iran,” Inganamort said.

He pointed to his own legislative efforts to prevent New Jersey from contracting with companies that do business with Iran’s energy industry.

“He gave a full-throated argument for eliminating an awful dictatorial regime, and hopefully that will yield good things for free people,” Inganamort said.

Despite the attention Murphy’s debate performance generated, he remains a long shot against Booker in a state that hasn’t won a U.S. Senate election since Clifford Case’s re-election in 1972.