Michael McGuire

Michael McGuire is a family law attorney, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, U.S. Navy Reserve member and former New York City police officer. He won the Republican nomination for NJ-3 in the June 2, 2026 primary and has not previously held elected office. He says he is running on affordability, veterans' issues and term limits for members of Congress.[1][2][3]

McGuire served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1997 to 2001 and subsequently in the U.S. Navy Reserve, where he remains a member.[1][3] WHYY reports that after four years in the Marines he joined the New York City Police Department, where he was a first responder on September 11, 2001; he describes his background as including service as a law enforcement officer.[1][2][3][5] He works as an attorney, and the New Jersey Globe describes his practice as family law and divorce; WHYY adds that he is a small-business advisor and tax practitioner.[1][3][5] McGuire lives in Freehold Township, according to the New Jersey Globe.[3]

McGuire told the New Jersey Globe that he had run for school board in the past; WHYY describes the congressional campaign as his first run for office.[3][5] The Globe reported that his decision to run for Congress followed the fall 2025 federal government shutdown, during which he and fellow Navy reservists missed paychecks.[3][2] He launched his campaign in January 2026 and defeated Jason Cullen and Justin Barbera in the June 2, 2026 Republican primary, receiving 57.9% of the vote.[2][4] Ballotpedia lists endorsements from Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, former U.S. Rep. Barry Morris Goldwater Jr., the Monmouth County Republican Committee and the Mercer County Republican Committee.[1]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.