So, you’re looking to find out who is nj senator now, and honestly, the answer changed more in the last year than it did in the previous decade. New Jersey’s political landscape basically did a complete 180 after the high-profile scandals that dominated the headlines.
Right now, in 2026, New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Cory Booker and Andy Kim.
Both are Democrats. Booker is the veteran here, having been around since 2013. Kim is the "new guy," though he’s already making a pretty massive name for himself after a historic win. If you haven't been following the local news closely, the transition from the Bob Menendez era to this current lineup was—to put it mildly—a total rollercoaster.
The Senior Senator: Cory Booker's Staying Power
Cory Booker is currently New Jersey's senior senator. He first took office back in October 2013 after a special election. Most people remember him as the former mayor of Newark who used to shovel snow for his constituents and lived in public housing to make a point about urban neglect.
He’s a Rhodes Scholar, a Yale Law grad, and a guy who somehow has enough energy to maintain a national profile while still showing up at diners in Jersey City. In the Senate, he’s been a fixture on the Judiciary Committee and the Foreign Relations Committee.
Booker is actually up for re-election right now in 2026. He filed his paperwork and is seeking a third full term. He's widely expected to win, with major non-partisan raters like the Cook Political Report labeling the seat as "Solid Democratic." Just last year, he made history (and probably some enemies of people who wanted to go home early) by delivering a 25-hour speech—the longest in Senate history—protesting the second Trump administration.
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The New Face: How Andy Kim Took the Stage
This is where it gets interesting. If you’re asking who is nj senator now because you remember someone else being there, you’re likely thinking of Bob Menendez.
Menendez resigned in August 2024 after a federal corruption conviction involving gold bars and literal piles of cash. It was a whole thing. For a brief moment, we had a "caretaker" senator named George Helmy, who was Governor Phil Murphy's former chief of staff. Helmy was basically a placeholder meant to keep the seat warm until the 2024 election results were certified.
Enter Andy Kim.
Kim was a three-term congressman from South Jersey (District 3) before making the jump. He actually launched his Senate campaign the day after Menendez was first indicted because he was fed up with the "same old same old" in Jersey politics.
What you need to know about Andy Kim:
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- Historic Win: He is the first Korean-American in the U.S. Senate.
- The "Line" Slayer: He sued to get rid of New Jersey's infamous "county line" ballot system, which basically gave party bosses total control over who won primaries. He won that lawsuit, and it's changed NJ elections forever.
- Background: He was a national security official under the Obama administration and famously stayed late after the January 6th Capitol riots to help clean up the trash in the Rotunda.
Kim was sworn in early on December 9, 2024, after Helmy resigned to give him a head start on seniority. His current term runs all the way until January 2031.
Why New Jersey Has Two Senators
It sounds basic, but every state gets two. In Jersey, they are elected in different "classes" so their terms don't end at the same time.
Cory Booker holds the Class II seat.
Andy Kim holds the Class I seat.
Because Kim just won his election in 2024, he’s got a long road ahead before he has to worry about campaigning again. Booker, on the other hand, is currently in the thick of the 2026 cycle. You’ll likely see his name on the ballot this November.
The Current Political Climate in NJ
Honestly, the "gold bar" scandal really shook things up. For a long time, Jersey politics felt like a closed shop. You had these powerful bosses and long-incumbent names that never seemed to move.
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Now? It feels different.
Andy Kim’s win wasn't just about him; it was a signal that the voters were tired of the status quo. Even the Republican side is seeing a bit of a shift. In the 2024 race, businessman Curtis Bashaw ran a surprisingly competitive moderate campaign, though he ultimately lost to Kim. For the 2026 race against Booker, we’re seeing names like Justin Murphy and potentially others vying for the Republican nomination.
Actionable Steps for NJ Voters
If you want to stay on top of what your senators are doing—or if you want to have a say in the upcoming 2026 election—here is what you should actually do:
- Check your registration: New Jersey makes it pretty easy to register online, but you need to do it at least 21 days before an election.
- Follow the 2026 Primary: The primary for Booker’s seat is set for June 2, 2026. This is where you decide who actually makes it to the November ballot.
- Use Official Resources: If you need help with a federal agency (like the VA or Social Security), you can actually reach out to Booker or Kim's constituent services offices. They have staffers specifically paid to help Jersey residents navigate the bureaucracy.
- Track the Votes: Sites like Congress.gov let you see exactly what bills Andy Kim is sponsoring. For instance, he recently introduced S.3672, a bill about NASA and public-private talent programs.
The "who" is settled for now: Booker and Kim. But the "what" they do for the state is something you can monitor in real-time. Whether you love their policies or can't stand them, these are the two people representing the Garden State in D.C. for the foreseeable future.
To keep an eye on the 2026 election cycle, mark June 2nd on your calendar for the primary and November 3rd for the general election. You can verify your polling location and current registration status through the New Jersey Division of Elections website to ensure your voice is heard in the upcoming Senate race.