Cory Booker

New Jersey holds its general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with voter registration closed as of October 13 and mail-in ballot requests due by October 27. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. statewide. Top races include the U.S. Senate contest, where Democratic incumbent Cory Booker faces Republican Justin Murphy and several third-party and write-in candidates. All 12 of New Jersey's House seats are also on the ballot, with the 2nd Congressional District drawing particular attention as Republican incumbent Jeff Van Drew, who switched parties in 2019, defends his seat against Democratic challenger Zack Mullock, mayor of Cape May, and independent Ramon Mora Jr.

Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker have sent a letter to FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson urging the agency to investigate alleged anticompetitive and deceptive practices among dominant online real estate platforms, naming Zillow Group as a key target. The Senate Democrats argue that consolidated control over home listings and search tools makes it harder for Americans to buy homes and worsens the broader housing affordability crisis.

The lawmakers are asking the FTC to use all available enforcement tools to restore competition across the online real estate marketplace, citing concerns about how platform dominance affects pricing transparency and consumer choice during home searches. The request adds to ongoing scrutiny of major real estate listing services and comes amid broader political attention to housing costs. No formal FTC investigation has been announced in response to the letter.

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigned Friday, a day after Gov. Mikie Sherrill released a 61-page report from a four-month investigation, led by former Attorney General Christopher Porrino's law firm, substantiating findings of sexual harassment and repeated ethics violations. Investigators found credible evidence that Caldwell made an unwanted romantic advance toward a staffer's friend, sought a promotion for a state employee he was secretly dating, and brought unpaid guests to ticketed events despite prior warnings. Sherrill said the episode reflected a longstanding Trenton culture of overlooking sexual harassment that her administration would no longer tolerate.

Caldwell, who is Black, suggested race played a role in the allegations and disputes the report's findings, saying he resigned to avoid distracting from Sherrill's administration; days later he preached at his church about false accusations. Acting Comptroller Shirley Emehelu now oversees the Division of Elections ahead of the midterms, while Senate President Nicholas Scutari serves as acting governor when needed. Sherrill has 45 days to name a permanent replacement, with reports suggesting she may favor another Black leader, possibly a woman, for the role.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill called on Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to resign by Friday after an independent investigation found he engaged in sexual harassment and violated state ethics rules. The 61-page report, led by former state Attorney General Christopher Porrino, concluded that Caldwell twice sought a state job promotion for his girlfriend, made a sexually charged comment to a staff member, and ignored repeated warnings about his conduct.

The probe began in May after Sherrill's office received an anonymous letter alleging inappropriate behavior by Caldwell, a former president of Centenary University. Caldwell has denied the allegations through his attorney, Thomas Calcagni, who called the investigation one-sided and lacking due process; Caldwell has suggested race and gender bias played a role, as he is Black. Sen. Cory Booker and other Democrats have backed Sherrill's call for resignation. Caldwell has given no indication he intends to step down, raising the possibility of a prolonged standoff with the governor over New Jersey's second-highest office.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta reached a settlement allowing the $111 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. merger to proceed, ending a 12-state antitrust challenge, but the deal has drawn criticism from within the Democratic coalition itself. Sources say Gov. Gavin Newsom, LA Mayor Karen Bass and gubernatorial front-runner Xavier Becerra pressured Bonta to settle, while attorneys general in New York and Connecticut wanted stronger concessions before ultimately signing on. Paramount agreed to production commitments, spending on U.S. film production, preserving its California lots, and an oversight board meant to protect editorial independence at CNN and CBS News, both folded into the merger under CEO David Ellison.

Critics, including Sen. Cory Booker and the Writers Guild of America, argue the deal is too weak and that Ellison's threat to relocate Paramount out of California influenced the outcome. Some attorneys general called it only a partial win, while Bonta defended it as enforceable, with divestment penalties if Paramount fails to comply.

Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidate John James joined Senate candidate Mike Rogers in calling for a quick end to the Iran War, breaking from President Trump's public defense of the conflict. James, a combat veteran, said "Iran cannot have a nuke" but urged using "every resource" to end the war quickly, while praising the administration's diplomatic and economic efforts. Rogers similarly called for the war to end "quickly," warning it is driving up costs for Michigan families, and has proposed suspending both the state and federal gas tax, a combined 70 cents a gallon, along with a temporary embargo on U.S. diesel exports.

Democrats pushed back, noting James voted against multiple congressional resolutions demanding an end to the war or requiring authorization to continue it, including a September 15 measure that passed 220-204. The Michigan Democratic Party accused James of "trying to desperately lie about his record" as gas hovers near $5 a gallon and diesel prices hit record highs. James has not committed to suspending the state or federal gas tax, unlike Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson, who backs pausing the federal tax. In the Senate race, Rogers trails Democrat Abdul El-Sayed by roughly 7 points in recent polling, while Trump has defended the war and warned he could act more forcefully against Iran absent a peace deal.

Senate Judiciary Committee tensions flared as Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., accused FBI Director Kash Patel of using the bureau to target journalists covering the Trump administration, at one point comparing him to a "thug." Booker pressed Patel on an FBI investigation into New York Times reporters who covered security concerns surrounding the Qatar-donated Air Force One, and questioned whether agents accessed federal databases to gather information on Times journalist Elizabeth Williamson after she reported that Patel had given his girlfriend government-funded security and transportation.

Patel denied targeting reporters, countering that the Obama administration had subpoenaed reporters and conducted extensive interviews in leak investigations. He said his agency instead focuses on people leaking classified information that could endanger officials and citizens. Patel dismissed Booker's "thug" remark as ironic, noting Booker's presidential ambitions.

The exchange underscores ongoing scrutiny of FBI conduct toward the press and government accountability under the current administration, issues with implications for oversight-related prediction markets.