By Matt Rooney
Cory Booker is accustomed to being the New Jersey politician attracting national attention, Save Jerseyans.
This time? His Republican challenger is getting a turn.
Justin Murphy’s forceful answer on Iran during last Thursday’s U.S. Senate debate at Rider University is circulating beyond the Garden State, earning enthusiastic coverage from The Daily Wire and RedState as the exchange makes the rounds on social media. Both outlets highlighted the moment on Sunday.
The setup was straightforward: What would Murphy tell President Trump if the president called and asked what to do about Iran?
“Finish it. Finish that war in a positive manner,” Murphy answered.
The Republican went on to condemn the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, emphasizing both its support for terrorism and the suffering of the Iranian people under the regime. He recalled the American embassy hostage crisis and argued that decades of violence and oppression demanded a decisive response.
“Four decades is enough. The Iranian people have suffered enough,” Murphy declared before urging Trump to bring the conflict to a successful conclusion. His answer drew cheers.
Booker made childish faces throughout Murphy’s response (he can’t help himself), then dismissed Murphy’s approach as “false bravado.”
That’s rich coming from a politician whose public career has hardly suffered from a shortage of theatrical moments.
The exchange’s appeal is easy to understand. Murphy answered the question directly, identified the regime’s victims, and explained why he believes the outcome matters. You can disagree with his prescription, but you don’t need a consultant to translate it.
By Sunday, RedState was featuring an X post from Live From Studio 6B sharing the exchange (see below), helping bring a New Jersey debate moment to a broader conservative audience.
Online attention doesn’t automatically become votes. Murphy still needs New Jerseyans to turn interest into support. The Republican nominee from Tabernacle, a lawyer with retro ’80s hair, would’ve faced an uphill climb even in an easier cycle for the GOP.
But for a challenger trying to get heard, this is an opening: people outside the usual political circles are getting a reason to look him up. And Justin did it not with clownish behavior, but by delivering a thoroughly substantive debate answer.
Booker may have the bigger name. This time, Murphy supplied the clip. The incumbent should take notes!
GOP candidate for Senate Justin Murphy’s response to a question about Iran. Booker almost wet his pants. https://t.co/8INLqrq3k8
— Live From Studio 6B (@lfs6b) October 11, 2026
