joanne kuniansky：Joanne Kuniansky: Socialist Workers Party Candidate for U.S. Senate in New Jersey

Joanne Kuniansky on the 2026 New Jersey U.S. Senate ballot

Joanne Kuniansky is a candidate for the U.S. Senate in New Jersey in the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026. According to Ballotpedia, she is running under the Socialist Workers Party and appears on the general election ballot alongside Democratic incumbent Cory Booker, Republican Justin Murphy, Veronica Fernandez of the End the Corruption! Party, and write-in candidate Eduardo Castillo.

Background and campaign history

BallotReady and CBS News report that Kuniansky has run for office multiple times in recent years, including campaigns for New Jersey governor in 2021 and 2025, the U.S. Senate in 2024, and the New Jersey State Senate in 2023. She has been affiliated with the Socialist Workers Party for more than 49 years, according to her interview with The Daily Targum.

Her candidate statement filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission describes her as a union fighter who has worked in oil refineries, railroads, meatpacking, and currently as a Walmart deli worker. The statement says the Socialist Workers Party builds solidarity with labor battles and advocates for a federally funded public works program, a shorter workweek with no cut in pay, and cost-of-living clauses in contracts.

Campaign positions

In her interview with The Daily Targum, Kuniansky said she is running to fight for the working class without relying on Democrats or Republicans, which she described as parties representing business interests. She highlighted the rising cost of living in New Jersey and said workers need jobs that pay enough to support a family. She also called for amnesty for workers without papers, framing it as a way to strengthen working-class unity.

Kuniansky’s statement also includes foreign policy positions: opposition to U.S. wars, an end to the embargo of Cuba and sanctions on Iran, Venezuela, and North Korea, and unconditional recognition of Israel as a refuge for Jews. She urged unions to protest antisemitism.

Debate exclusion claim

The Daily Targum reported that Kuniansky criticized her exclusion from a recent Senate candidate debate at Rider University, calling it a “crackdown on Democratic rights” and an effort to exclude working-class parties from the ballot.

Other candidates in the race

• Cory Booker (D), incumbent U.S. Senator seeking a third full term.
• Justin Murphy (R), a U.S. Navy veteran, attorney, and former deputy mayor of Tabernacle.
• Veronica Fernandez (End the Corruption! Party), a Franklin, New Jersey native and small business owner.
• Eduardo Castillo (D), listed as a write-in candidate by Ballotpedia.

The general election is set for November 3, 2026. Vote totals and final results were not available in the materials reviewed.

Sources: Ballotpedia, New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission candidate statement, CBS News Philadelphia, The Daily Targum, BallotReady.