Trump endorsed 3 NJ candidates. One major Republican was left out

Donald Trump is telling New Jersey voters who he wants them to support in the 2026 midterms, endorsing three Republican members of Congress just before early in-person voting begins.

Trump backed Reps. Jeff Van Drew, Chris Smith and Tom Kean Jr. in a Thursday evening Truth Social post, urging New Jerseyans to "MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE." But one major Republican candidate was missing from the list: U.S. Senate nominee Justin Murphy, who is challenging Democratic Sen. Cory Booker.

Here's who Trump endorsed in New Jersey ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, and who he left off his list.

Who did Trump endorse in NJ?

Trump endorsed all three Republican U.S. House incumbents from New Jersey in the 2026 midterms: Jeff Van Drew, Chris Smith and Tom Kean Jr.

• Jeff Van Drew, NJ-2: Represents Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem counties, along with portions of Gloucester and Ocean counties. Van Drew is running against Democrat Zack Mullock.

• Chris Smith, NJ-4: Represents portions of Monmouth and Ocean counties. Smith is running against Democrat Rachel Peace

• Tom Kean Jr., NJ-7: Kean is running against Democrat Rebecca Bennett in the North Jersey district.

"These Great Patriots have my Complete and Total Endorsement," Trump wrote on Truth Social , adding: "They will never let you down!"

Trump also linked to Swamp the Vote USA , a Republican voter-turnout site that provides New Jersey election deadlines, early-voting information and a tool for voters to find their voting options.

Republicans currently hold those three New Jersey House seats, while Democrats hold the state's other nine.

Did Trump endorse Justin Murphy for NJ Senate?

Justin Murphy was not included in Trump's Oct. 22 list of New Jersey endorsements. Murphy is the Republican nominee challenging Cory Booker for U.S. Senate .

More: Could Cory Booker lose his NJ Senate seat? What forecasts show

When does early voting start in NJ?

In-person early voting begins Saturday, Oct. 24, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 1, ahead of Election Day on Nov. 3.

→ Find early voting locations throughout New Jersey in our county-by-county guide.

Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based reporter covering trending news with USA TODAY Network's Mid-Atlantic Connect Team . She covers news in the Northeast, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Reach her at LComstock@usatodayco.com .

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Trump endorsed 3 NJ candidates. One major Republican was left out