Five candidates are running in the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District on June 4, 2024. Two candidates lead in media attention and polls: Herbert Conaway Jr. (D) and Carol Murphy (D).
Incumbent Andrew Kim (D), who was first elected in 2018, is running for the U.S. Senate. This is the first open race for the 3rd Congressional District since 2014.
Conaway is a member of the New Jersey General Assembly and a medical doctor. He ran to represent the 3rd Congressional District in 2004 but lost to then-incumbent Jim Paxton (R) 63.4% to 34.7%. Conaway said he has a “track record of getting things done in the legislature,” and if elected to Congress, he would “take that fight to Washington, to protect our democracy, expand reproductive rights, make healthcare more affordable, and tackle climate change.” VoteVets endorsed Conaway.
Murphy is a member of the New Jersey General Assembly and previously worked as a community relations manager for the New Jersey Schools Development Authority. Murphy said, “I’ll bring a fresh perspective as the first woman from South Jersey ever to serve in the United States House of Representatives. I will be a fierce advocate and never back down from those trying to divide our nation.” EMILYs List endorsed Murphy.
On March 29, 2024, U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi issued a preliminary injunction blocking the use of the county line ballot design in 2024 Democratic primaries in New Jersey. According to Politico: ”The county line is New Jersey’s unique primary ballot design where party-backed candidates are placed in a single column or row from the highest office to the lowest. Candidates not endorsed by county parties are often placed less prominently on primary ballots. Candidates who are on the county line have been shown to have a significant electoral advantage.” At the time of the injunction, the county line ballot design was used in 19 of New Jersey’s 21 counties.
Before Quraishi issued the injunction, all three counties in the district endorsed Conaway. Rider University’s Micah Rasmussen said: “All of Herb Conaway’s advantages that he built up in winning those three lines — which were thought to be a prohibitive advantage for him — are all gone, and it is a great reset in that race now.”
As of April 15, 2024, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rated the general election Solid Democratic. Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated the general election Likely Democratic.
Also running in the primary are Joseph Cohn (D), Brian Schkeeper (D), and Sarah Schoengood (D).
