New Jersey politics used to be synonymous with "the line." If you weren't in with the county bosses, you basically didn't exist. But then everything changed in a messy, high-stakes blur.
Honestly, if you're looking at who represents the Garden State in D.C. right now, you’re looking at a completely different landscape than we had just a few years ago. We’ve moved from the era of Bob Menendez—a decades-long fixture whose career ended in a federal courtroom—to a duo that feels, well, a bit more modern. Or at least more focused on the actual policy than the backroom deals.
Every senator for New Jersey today carries the weight of a state that is notoriously expensive, intensely diverse, and deeply cynical about corruption. We have Cory Booker, the social-media-savvy veteran, and Andy Kim, the guy who basically blew up the state's entire political machine just to get his seat.
The Upheaval: How Andy Kim Changed the Rules
You've probably seen that photo of Andy Kim. It’s from January 6, 2021. He’s on his hands and knees in the Rotunda, quietly picking up trash left by the rioters. It wasn't a PR stunt; it was just who he is. That moment arguably set the stage for his Senate run. When Bob Menendez was indicted on bribery charges involving gold bars and Mercedes-Benzes, Kim didn't wait. He jumped in.
But here’s the thing most people miss: he didn't just run against a person. He ran against a system.
In New Jersey, "the line" was a ballot design that gave party-backed candidates a massive advantage. Kim sued to get rid of it. And he won. By the time he defeated Curtis Bashaw in the 2024 general election with 53.6% of the vote, he had already fundamentally altered how every future senator for New Jersey will be elected. He became the first Korean-American in the Senate, assuming office on December 9, 2024.
Now, he sits on some heavy-hitting committees. We’re talking Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, plus Homeland Security. He’s leaning hard into the "affordability" crisis because, let’s be real, nobody can afford to live in Jersey anymore without a side hustle.
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What Andy Kim is Actually Doing in 2026
It isn't just about the optics of cleaning up the Capitol. Kim has been aggressive about ethics. Just this month, on January 15, 2026, he introduced S.3672, a bill aimed at NASA’s public-private talent programs. It sounds dry, but it’s part of his larger focus on "innovation" and global competition. He’s also serving as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee for Disaster Management. For a state that gets hammered by Atlantic storms and flooding, that’s not a "filler" role. It’s a lifeline.
Cory Booker: The Senior Senator Who Never Stops
Then there’s Cory Booker. He’s been around since 2013, but don't call him "the establishment" to his face. He still carries that "Rhodes Scholar who lived in a Newark housing project" energy.
Booker is the senior senator for New Jersey, and his portfolio is massive. He’s the guy trying to bridge the gap between criminal justice reform and agricultural policy. Yeah, those two things don't usually go together, but for Booker, it’s all about the "food system." He spends a lot of time on the Judiciary Committee and the Foreign Relations Committee.
The Booker Strategy
If you watch him on the floor, he’s a talker. He’s eloquent, sometimes to a fault, but he gets results on things like the First Step Act. In 2026, he’s been pushing hard on healthcare. He cosponsored the Telehealth Modernization Act (S.1261) and has been vocal about Medicare coverage for dementia screening.
He’s also the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights. Basically, he’s the one looking at big tech and big pharma and asking why things cost so much. It’s a good cop, better cop routine with Kim. Booker handles the high-level visionary stuff, while Kim digs into the granular security and housing data.
Why This Pair Matters for Your Wallet
Most people think a senator for New Jersey just goes to D.C. to argue about things that don't affect daily life. Wrong.
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Think about the Gateway Project. This is the massive tunnel project under the Hudson River. If that fails, the Northeast Corridor dies. Both Booker and Kim are obsessed with this because they know if the trains stop, the Jersey economy stops. Kim, specifically, is using his seat on the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee to make sure those federal dollars keep flowing to the Gateway.
There's also the "Affordability" factor.
New Jersey has some of the highest property taxes and cost-of-living metrics in the country. Kim has been pushing for federal intervention in the housing market, specifically focusing on "middle-class" homeownership. He’s not just talking about low-income housing; he’s talking about the people making $80k a year who still can't find a starter home in Cherry Hill or Montclair.
The Reality of the 2026 Election Cycle
While Andy Kim just got his seat (his term doesn't end until 2031), Cory Booker is looking at the 2026 election.
Is he safe? Generally, yes. New Jersey hasn't elected a Republican to the Senate since 1972. That’s a long time. But the state is more "purple" than the maps suggest. You’ve got deep red pockets in Ocean County and Sussex County. If the GOP finds a candidate who isn't a MAGA firebrand but rather a moderate, fiscal-conservative type—like the one Kim faced in 2024—it could get interesting.
The Democrats aren't taking it for granted. Booker has been visible, hitting all 21 counties, talking about "environmental justice" in the morning and "small business grants" in the afternoon.
Misconceptions About Jersey's Representation
One big myth is that NJ senators are just "New York's juniors." That's junk.
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Because Jersey is the most densely populated state, the issues here are unique. We have a weird mix of massive pharmaceutical giants (looking at you, Johnson & Johnson and Merck) and some of the most productive small farms in the country. Balancing the needs of a Big Pharma lobby with a South Jersey blueberry farmer is a tightrope walk.
Booker handles the Agriculture side, surprisingly enough. He’s been a champion for "urban farming" and soil health. It sounds niche until you realize how much of New Jersey's economy relies on these sectors.
Actionable Steps: How to Keep Them Accountable
Having a senator for New Jersey who listens is only half the battle. You actually have to talk to them.
- Track the Bills: Don't just read the headlines. Go to Congress.gov and look up S.3672 or Booker’s recent healthcare cosponsorships. See if they actually align with your needs.
- Use the Local Offices: You don't have to go to D.C. Kim has offices in Barrington and Willingboro; Booker has his main operations in Newark and Camden. If you’re having trouble with Social Security or a veteran's claim, these offices are literally designed to help you.
- Watch the Subcommittees: That’s where the real work happens. When Andy Kim sits as Ranking Member on the Disaster Management subcommittee, he’s deciding how FEMA responds the next time a hurricane floods your basement.
The 2024 election was a reset button. The era of the "Bosses" is fading, and we’re left with two guys who, love them or hate them, are incredibly focused on the technicalities of governing. For New Jerseyans, that’s a refreshing change of pace. Keep an eye on the 2026 cycle as Booker ramps up his re-election campaign—it will be the first major test of the state’s post-"line" political environment.
Make sure you're registered to vote and staying updated on the Gateway Project funding. Those two things will probably impact your life more than any other political drama this year.