Justin Murphy urges Trump to finish Iran war, stuns Cory Booker in NJ Senate debate
Republican Senate candidate and Navy veteran Justin Murphy delivered a forceful response on the war with Iran during a televised debate with incumbent Democrat Cory Booker at Rider University in Lawrence, New Jersey on Oct. 11, 2026.
The exchange underscored a sharp foreign‑policy contrast in a race that could determine New Jersey’s representation in Washington for the next six years. Murphy’s aggressive stance on Iran may resonate with voters who favor a decisive military approach, while Booker’s emphasis on diplomacy aligns with the incumbent’s broader foreign‑policy record.
When moderator David Wildstein asked Murphy what advice he would give President Trump if the president called about Iran, Murphy replied without hesitation: “Finish it. Finish that war in a positive manner.” He described the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a “radical terrorist organization” and a “cancer on human existence,” recalling the 1979 U.S. Embassy hostage crisis and the 444‑day ordeal of 52 Americans.
Murphy then urged Trump to “put your cowboy hat on and get out there and kick some ass and get this done and done right,” a line that quickly went viral online. The crowd erupted in cheers, while Booker’s expression appeared stunned, marking a rare moment of direct, unapologetic pushback from a Republican challenger.
Booker, who had just criticized Trump’s decision to confront the regime as “one of the most colossally stupid things the president has ever done,” later dismissed Murphy’s remarks as “yahoo cowboy foreign policy” and “false bravado,” insisting that military force should be a last resort after diplomatic solutions.
Murphy, a former U.S. Navy sailor who served four years aboard the USS Comte De Grasse and saw action in the Persian Gulf during the Iran‑Iraq war, also highlighted his local experience as a former Tabernacle Deputy Mayor. His background adds credibility to his national‑security arguments, a factor that could appeal to voters seeking a candidate with both military and community leadership experience.
The debate also revealed stark campaign‑finance disparities: Booker reported $23 million in cash on hand in late‑June filings, while Murphy listed a modest $123. Despite the financial gap, Murphy’s performance has generated significant media attention and may boost grassroots enthusiasm.
New Jersey has not sent a Republican to the U.S. Senate since 1972, and Murphy’s decisive remarks may signal a shift in the political calculus as the primary season approaches.
Murphy’s “cowboy hat” remark continues to circulate on social platforms, and the candidate is expected to leverage the momentum in upcoming campaign events across the state.
