June 03, 2024
Michael Candelori/for PhillyVoice
Four candidates seek the GOP nomination in Tuesday's U.S. Senate primary in New Jersey: Curtis Bradshaw, Albert Harshaw, Christine Serrano Glassner and Justin Murphy. The winner will run against one of three Democrats competing in Democratic primary.
Curtis Bashaw, a businessman and real estate developer in Cape May, is the winner of the Republican primary election for U.S. Senate in New Jersey. He will face U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, who won the Democratic primary earlier Tuesday night.
The corruption trial of indicted U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez opened up a rare opportunity for Republicans to make a run at one of New Jersey's two seats, which haven't been won by anyone from the GOP since 1972. Four Republicans competed for the chance to advance to the general election in Tuesday's primary.
Polls closed at 8 p.m. and results will be updated below as they become available. All results are unofficial until certified by election officials. Bashaw was declared the winner shortly after 9 p.m., according to the Associated Press
Bashaw ran on a promise to target inflation and reduce regulation on small businesses. He previously served as executive director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. He said he wants to protect personal freedoms that were undermined by policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also aims to ensure election integrity by establishing uniform voter identification laws.
Businessman Albert Harshaw campaigned on a bipartisan platform calling to invest in early education and industrial growth in the aerospace, military and manufacturing sectors. Harshaw also called for tax reforms to incentivize domestic production and favor small businesses.
Christine Serrano Glassner is the mayor of the borough of Mendham in Morris County. During her campaign, she called for protecting the long-term solvency of Social Security and Medicare. She also argued more must be done to combat the effects that inflation is having on people who can least afford it. Serrano Glassner was endorsed by former President Donald Trump during a rally he held in Wildwood in May.
Justin Murphy is a U.S. Navy veteran who formerly served as the deputy mayor of Tabernacle in Burlington County. His campaign called for abolishing the IRS and creating a flat tax. His economic platform promoted pro-growth policies to address inflation and the dampening effect that high interest rates have add on investment. Murphy is opposed to abortion and does not support tax dollars being used to support them.
Menendez is facing federal charges for allegedly accepting bribes in exchange for favors to foreign governments and businessmen. The three-term senator opted not to run for reelection as a Democrat, but he is filing a petition to be included as an independent on New Jersey's ballot in the November general election.
The last time a Republican represented New Jersey in the U.S. Senate was in 1982, when Democrat Harrison Williams resigned following his conviction for taking bribes in the Abscam sting operation. Republican Nicholas Brady was appointed to replace him and briefly held the office until Democrat Frank Lautenberg won in the next election. The last Republican to win a U.S. Senate race in New Jersey was Clifford Case, who was elected to the last of his four terms in 1972.
