Polls are open in New Jersey for GOP, Dem primaries
Jun 02, 2026 | 6:00 am ET
Description
The Democratic primaries in the 7th and 12th districts are among the most closely watched as Democratic and Republican voters head to the polls. (Photo by Anne-Marie Caruso/New Jersey Monitor)
Polls are now open for New Jersey’s primary elections, with a handful of competitive races statewide that will determine who has the Democratic and Republican party nods in November’s midterm elections, when control of Congress is on the line.
One of the most closely watched races is in the 12th Congressional District, where 12 Democrats are vying to be the party’s nominee to succeed a retiring Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman. This is a solidly Democratic district where the party’s nominee is expected to win handily in November.
The race’s front-runners include progressive activist Sue Altman, physician Adam Hamawy, and Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson. Hamawy has come under scrutiny, including from Dem rival Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp, for Hamawy’s past ties to the late blind cleric Omar Abdel Rahman, who was convicted in 1995 of taking part in a conspiracy to bomb the United Nations and other New York City landmarks.
In the 7th District, four Democrats — Rebecca Bennett, Michael Roth, Tina Shah, and Brian Varela — are seeking to compete in November against incumbent Rep. Tom Kean (R), whose absence from Congress and public view for the nearly three months has left Kean vulnerable as he seeks a third term in D.C.
The Democratic primary in the 8th District has become particularly acrimonious as incumbent Rep. Rob Menendez faces a challenge from former Jersey City school board president Mussab Ali as Menendez seeks a third term.
In the 3rd District, a trio of Republicans — Justin Barbera, Jason Cullen, and Michael McGuire — are vying to take on incumbent Rep. Herb Conaway (D) as Conaway competes for his second term. And in the 2nd District, four Democrats — Tim Alexander, Zack Mullock, Terri Reese, and Bayly Winder — are on the ballot to win the chance to challenge incumbent Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R).
Sen. Cory Booker is up for reelection in November and faces no Democratic challenger in Tuesday’s primary. But four Republicans are competing for the chance to take him on: Robert S. Lebovics, Justin Murph, Richard Tabor, and Alex Zdan.
Polls close at 8 p.m.
Trenton, NJ
