How many government officials can you name off the top of your head? How about New Jersey politicians? Your district’s Congress member? According to a poll conducted by Haven Insights, only 37% of Americans can name their congressional representative. With increasing political polarization across the country, all students could benefit from becoming more aware of the leaders deciding the trajectory of our country’s future as well as the political events unfolding across the nation.
On November 5, 2024, millions of American voters will decide the outcome of our 60th presidential election. Yet there are many just as important elections occurring on that date. Perhaps the most paramount and impactful for Hunterdon County voters is this year’s New Jersey Senate race. The state’s current two senators are Democrats Cory Booker and Bob Menendez. Menendez’s term is coming to a close; while he hasn’t officially declared his candidacy, he has stated his intent to run. Oftentimes, the incumbent candidate running for reelection is likely to win. However, last year, Menendez was indicted on federal corruption charges, leading to criticism from both parties. It is unlikely that he’ll gain enough support to win, as he did in 2006, 2012, and 2018. Consequently, the focus is on the candidates challenging him as the June 4 primary approaches.
Part of the reason that the 2024 Senate election has garnered extra attention is due to Tammy Murphy, the current First Lady of New Jersey, and her announcement of her own campaign. During her husband’s tenure as governor, she has helped implement a climate curriculum in public schools and worked to spread awareness about maternal mortality. Her platform focuses on gun reform, climate change, and reproductive rights; she has received a significant amount of endorsements from Democratic state leaders. However, Murphy faces a lot of criticism due to the fact that she has never held public office before. Some critics feel that she is taking advantage of her husband’s powerful position to gain support, while others argue that she does not have enough experience. This opposition has taken a toll on Murphy’s candidacy, as her campaign manager recently left.
Tammy Murphy’s main opponent is Andy Kim, who worked for the Department of State before winning a seat in Congress for New Jersey’s third congressional district. His major stated goal is to increase government transparency and decrease corruption. His campaign also focuses on environmental protection, healthcare, supporting small businesses, reproductive rights, and increasing job opportunities. Other Democratic candidates include activist Larry Hamm and labor leader Patricia Campos-Medina. In a recent public opinion poll of Democratic voters, Kim was the most favored candidate, with a twelve-point lead over Murphy. This advantage in voter support is significant, but with still a few months to go before the primary, the race could go any way.
Several Republican candidates are vying for the coveted position as well. The current frontrunner for the Republican nomination is Mayor Christine Serrano-Glassner, who is focused on decreasing corruption as well as hate speech and taking a strong stance against the nuclear agreement with Iran. Others running include former journalist Alex Zdan, real estate developer Curtis Bashaw, business owner Michael Estrada, former deputy mayor Justin Murphy, and veteran Albert Hashaw. The GOP primary will also take place on June 4. Although America’s two-party system allows the Democratic and Republican parties the most influence over election outcomes, third-party candidates should not be ignored. In New Jersey this year, there are two: Christina Khalil of the Green Party and Independent Nick Carducci.
This race is quite significant, with the New York Times describing it as the most competitive Senate election that New Jersey has seen in the last decade. Unseating a senator who has an upcoming criminal trial taking place before the primary after 18 years is certainly the kind of current event that even the least politically active New Jerseyans will want to keep up with. Most Central students will be too young to vote in this election, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t stay up-to-date on the political proceedings that affect all of us. Do a little research or check the news once in a while. No matter your ideological stance, you should do all you can to make your voice heard and your opinion matter.
Works Cited
- “Andy Kim for Congress.” www.andykim.com, www.andykim.com/.
- “Christine for the US Senate.” Christinefornj.com, www.christinefornj.com/issues/. Accessed February 24, 2024.
- “Just 37% of Americans Can Name Their Representative -.” Www.haveninsights.com, May 31, 2017, www.haveninsights.com/just-37-percent-name-representative/.
- “New Jersey Senate Elections 2024.” Ballotpedia, www.ballotpedia.org/New_Jersey_elections.
- “Tammy Murphy for Senate.” Tammy Murphy for Senate, www.tammymurphyforsenate.com/.
