New Jersey GOP Senate Candidate Calls for Continued U.S. Military Action in Iran
The position puts Justin Murphy to the right of most Republican candidates nationally, at a moment when U.S. Iran policy remains unsettled and the Senate seat is competitively contested.
Justin Murphy, the Republican candidate challenging incumbent Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) in New Jersey's 2026 U.S. Senate race, publicly called on President Donald Trump to continue military operations against Iran during a candidate debate, according to reporting by the Washington Examiner. Murphy directed the statement at Trump during a face-to-face debate with Booker, saying: "Mr. President, put your cowboy hat on and get out there and kick some a** and get this done and done right."
The Washington Examiner, which covered the debate, described Murphy's posture as a contrast to most other Republican Senate candidates nationally, who have not made explicit calls for expanded or continued military engagement with Iran a centerpiece of their campaigns.
Murphy's position enters the public record at a time when U.S.-Iran tensions carry direct congressional relevance. The Senate holds constitutional authority over declarations of war under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, and any extended or escalated military campaign would require congressional authorization or a War Powers Resolution notification under 50 U.S.C. 1541-1548. No Senate vote on formal authorization of military force against Iran has been recorded in the current congressional session, according to the congressional record as of October 19, 2026.
The Iran Foreign Minister issued warnings against renewed U.S. Military strikes earlier this year, as previously reported by The Congressional Times. The broader diplomatic and military context has made Iran policy a live issue in multiple Senate races. For additional background on those warnings, see Iran Foreign Minister Warns U.S. Against Renewed Military Strikes.
Murphy's campaign has not yet filed a full quarterly FEC report for the period ending September 30, 2026, that would be publicly searchable as of the publication of this article. His fundraising totals relative to Booker's are therefore not yet fully comparable from current FEC data. The next FEC quarterly disclosure deadline for Senate candidates is October 15, 2026, with a standard grace period for processing. Updated figures will appear at FEC.gov once processed.
Sen. Cory Booker, the Democratic incumbent, has not made a formal floor statement on the question of military authorization for Iran operations in the current session, according to a review of the congressional record. His campaign position on the question was not detailed in the Washington Examiner report on the debate.
New Jersey has not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since 1972, when Case won re-election. The state has trended toward Democratic statewide performance in federal elections, though competitive conditions in individual cycles vary based on candidate quality, national environment, and turnout models that are not yet complete for 2026.
Murphy's explicit call for continued military engagement represents a defined policy position that would carry direct implications for Senate votes on War Powers notifications, defense appropriations, and any Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) legislation if Murphy were elected and if military operations expanded or continued.
Whether Murphy's stance on Iran will become a defining issue in the New Jersey Senate race or remain a secondary factor behind domestic issues such as cost of living and health care is not determinable from current public polling. No independent, publicly released poll of the New Jersey Senate race specifically surveying voter views on Iran military policy has been identified in available public records as of this date.
What remains unknown: the full fundraising comparison between Murphy and Booker for the third quarter of 2026, which would be disclosed in FEC filings; whether Booker will take a formal floor position on Iran military authorization; and whether any Senate Republican leadership figures will publicly respond to Murphy's debate statement. The relevant public record to watch is FEC.gov for campaign finance filings and Congress.gov for any War Powers or AUMF activity.