Monday, Sep 28, 2026
Booker, Murphy to meet in only debate of New Jersey Senate race
by Alix Knice
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker will debate Republican Justin Murphy at Rider University on Oct. 8. Both are running for a six-year term representing New Jersey in the United States Senate.
Booker has served in the Senate since 2013 and, last year, delivered the longest individual speech in Senate history, speaking for more than 25 hours from March 31 to April 1, 2025. Justin Murphy is an attorney in Burlington County and a Navy veteran who served as deputy mayor of Tabernacle.
“Rider is proud to play such an important role in educating voters,” says Micah Rasmussen ’92, director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University. “We're particularly proud that Rider students will be involved in every aspect of the production of the debate – from video to timekeeping to managing the event, as well as asking some of the questions.”
Members of the Rider community interested in attending the debate should reserve their seat using this form.