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WATCH: Sen. Cory Booker speaks after winning reelection in New Jersey
Cory Booker won re-election to the US Senate for New Jersey, defeating Republican Justin Murphy and securing a third full term. The result keeps the seat with Democrats in a state that has not elected a Republican senator since 1972.
Murphy, an attorney, emerged from a crowded Republican primary in June. The Associated Press called the race for Booker at 8 p.m. Eastern time; Booker is a former Newark mayor and presidential candidate who has openly criticised President Donald Trump.
In short
- Cory Booker won a third full Senate term.
- He defeated Republican Justin Murphy.
- New Jersey has had no Republican senator since 1972.
Explained simply
The US Senate is one of the two chambers of Congress, where elected senators represent their states and serve six-year terms. New Jersey has two senators, and elections are held at different times, so voters choose one of its seats in each Senate election cycle.
Cory Booker, a Democrat, previously served as Newark’s mayor before entering the Senate. His Republican challenger, Justin Murphy, is an attorney who won his party’s nomination in a crowded primary election.
The result matters because senators vote on federal laws and other national decisions, and the seat remains with the Democrats. New Jersey has not elected a Republican senator since 1972.