If you’re wondering who is the senator of New Jersey, you might be looking for a single name. But that's not how the U.S. Senate works. New Jersey, like every other state, has two seats. Right now, in early 2026, those seats are held by Cory Booker and Andy Kim.
Politics here can be a bit of a whirlwind. If you haven't checked the news in a year or two, you might be surprised to see a new face. Honestly, the Garden State's political landscape shifted massively recently. Let's break down who these guys are, how they got there, and why one of them is about to be on every TV screen in the state again very soon.
Cory Booker: The Senior Senator and His Big Year
Cory Booker has been a fixture in New Jersey politics for what feels like forever. He first took office way back in 2013 after a special election following the death of Frank Lautenberg. Before that? He was the high-profile Mayor of Newark, known for literally saving people from burning buildings and being incredibly active on Twitter back when that was a new thing for politicians.
As of today, he's the Senior Senator for New Jersey.
Booker is currently serving a term that expires in January 2027. If you do the math, that means 2026 is a massive year for him. He’s already filed his paperwork to run for re-election this November. You’ve probably seen him on the national stage—he ran for President in 2020 and is a major player on the Senate Judiciary Committee. In Washington, he’s known for pushing criminal justice reform and being one of the most energetic speakers in the building.
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Andy Kim: The New Face in the Junior Seat
This is where things changed. For a long time, Bob Menendez held the other seat. But after a high-profile federal trial and his subsequent resignation in August 2024, the seat opened up.
Enter Andy Kim.
Before moving to the Senate, Kim was a Congressman representing South Jersey (the 3rd District). He gained national attention for a very human moment—a photo of him cleaning up trash in the U.S. Capitol rotunda after the January 6th riots.
Basically, Kim won a hard-fought primary in 2024, effectively ending the "county line" system in New Jersey (a wonky bit of political machinery that gave party bosses huge power). He won the general election in November 2024, and after a brief interim period where George Helmy held the seat, Kim was sworn in on December 8, 2024.
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He’s making history, too. He is the first Korean-American in the U.S. Senate and the first Asian-American senator to represent New Jersey. His term is just beginning; he won't be up for election again until 2030.
The 2026 Election: What’s Next for New Jersey?
Since it’s 2026, the question "who is the senator of New Jersey" is about to get complicated by campaign season. While Andy Kim is safe in his seat for years, Cory Booker’s seat is up for grabs this November.
Here’s the current vibe of the race:
- The Democratic Side: Booker is the heavy favorite. He’s got over $21 million in the bank as of late 2025 and has broad support from the state's Democratic establishment. He's facing a primary challenge from Chris Fields, a community organizer, but most experts think Booker’s path to the nomination is pretty clear.
- The Republican Side: It’s a bit more of a scramble. Justin Murphy, a former Tabernacle committeeperson, is in the running. There’s also a lot of chatter about Mike Testa, a State Senator from South Jersey, and even Alina Habba, who has been a visible figure in legal circles recently.
New Jersey hasn't elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since 1972. That is a long streak. Even in "red wave" years, the state tends to lean reliably blue for federal offices, though the margins can get surprisingly tight in the suburbs.
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Why Should You Care?
It’s easy to think of Senators as just names on a ballot, but they handle the stuff that actually hits your wallet and your daily life.
- Federal Funding: Booker and Kim are the ones fighting for "Gateway Project" money to fix the train tunnels to New York. If those tunnels fail, your commute becomes a nightmare.
- Committee Power: Booker sits on the Foreign Relations and Judiciary committees. Kim, with his background as a national security official under both parties, is expected to be a major voice on defense and veterans' affairs.
- Constituent Services: Kinda a pro-tip here—if you’re having trouble with the VA, your passport, or Social Security, their offices are actually designed to help you. Most people forget they can just call their Senator's office in Newark or Camden for help with federal agencies.
Actionable Steps for New Jersey Voters
If you want to stay on top of who represents you, don't just wait for the TV ads to start screaming at you in October.
- Check your registration: If you’ve moved recently (maybe down to the Shore or over to Jersey City), make sure you're registered at your new address. You can do this easily on the NJ Department of State website.
- Follow the money: If you’re curious about who is actually funding these campaigns, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) keeps all the receipts. You can look up exactly who is donating to Booker or his challengers.
- Reach out: Both senators have "Mobile Office" hours where staff travel to different counties. It’s a great way to get a question answered without driving to their main offices.
The next few months will be full of political noise. Just remember: Booker is the one running right now; Kim is the one who just started. Both of them represent you in D.C., and both of them have offices right here in Jersey ready to take your call.