Booker rival who shoots from the hip hopes viral debate moment can break GOPs Senate drought

A New Jersey attorney and former municipal official who made waves during his debate with Sen. Cory Booker, D- N. J., said his unscripted style may be the secret sauce to making history and ending a Republican Senate drought in New Jersey that stretches back more than half a century.

Justin Murphy, a Navy veteran and former deputy mayor of Tabernacle in the states Pine Barrens, stunned his incumbent Democratic opponent when, in response to a question about Iran War strategy, he bluntly said President Donald Trump should forcefully "finish it."

"I dont have a speechwriter. Theres no teleprompter — I shoot from the hip because I want people to see a very sincere, genuine and authentic Justin Murphy," Murphy told Fox News Digital.

"This came up. And I had no idea it would become as viral or explode as it has on social media. It's what I felt. I meant what I said. I said what I meant. It wasn't planned to try to spark the reaction that we got… through social media."

Clifford Case, the last Republican to represent the Garden State in the Senate, was last elected in 1972 – the same year Giants Stadium broke ground, years before the Jets joined the Giants in New Jersey and before NJ Transit was created.

Murphy said that in his 60 years, he cannot remember a time when Irans support for terrorism, "export" of assassination or killing of its own people was not a feature of the nightly news.

"I think we have a president now that is breaking from the past, and he's no longer kicking the can down the road. And I think that's important that our young people know tomorrow that they will not have to worry about what the words Strait of Hormuz mean when this is over."

TRUMP IS DISMANTLING IRANS WAR MACHINE, BUT AMERICA STILL NEEDS AN ENDGAME

Asked how his message on Iran can overcome concerns about the wars effect on energy prices – including among Republicans and independents in the crucial Philadelphia metro area where he lives – Murphy said it is important to offer a vision focused on long-term national and energy security.

The "long-term" aspect of his message is twofold, he said, noting that he was in first grade in the Philadelphia suburb of Collingdale, Pennsylvania, the last time New Jersey elected a Republican to the Senate.

"Number one – its time for a change. We had a good cordial debate with [Cory Booker] but hes been a senator for 13 years – hes been [in Washington] longer than Donald Trump."

"I don't think he gets to blame Donald Trump for anything. He's part of the branch of government that passes our country's laws and writes our tax codes and passes our budgets. I'm wondering what he's willing to take responsibility or blame for."

"So what I tell people is that we need a new generation of Americans to serve in Washington, a new day in New Jersey politics, and our working and middle class New Jersey desperately need a voice in the U.S. Senate, and my campaign represents all three of those."

Looking to that "better tomorrow," Murphy said he understands concerns about the Iran conflicts effect on gas prices in his area, which he put at $4.20 per gallon as of Wednesday and which have become a major point of criticism of the current administration.

RNC THREATENS LEGAL ACTION AGAINST NEW JERSEY OFFICIALS OVER NONCITIZENS ON VOTER ROLL

• Share on: