Sen. Cory Booker handily wins reelection

New Jersey reelected U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D) to a third full term over a challenge from former Tabernacle Deputy Mayor Justin Murphy, the Associated Press projected.

Booker, a former Newark mayor and one-time presidential candidate, was the heavy favorite to win another six-year term in the Senate. Republicans have not won an election for U.S. Senate in New Jersey since 1972.

Booker entered the Senate in 2013 after winning a special election prompted by the death of Sen. Frank Lautenberg. Booker won his first full term the following year.

Murphy, an attorney and U.S. Navy veteran, acknowledged the long odds he faced during the campaign, including by joking about his lackluster fundraising.