Syndication: The Enquirer
(Trenton, NJ) — Today is Primary Day in New Jersey. Some big names in politics are fighting to represent their party in a hotly contested race to become the next Governor. Governor Phil Murphy is term limited. Republicans feel like they have a good shot to win the biggest seat in Trenton, after President Trump came withing five points of winning the state last November.
The Republican front-runner is Jack Ciattarelli, who lost his last bid to be Governor four years ago. Polls show his closest competitor is radio talk show host Bill Spadea. The Democratic side of the ticket is far more crowded, and the outcome less clear. Congressmen Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer are in the race, along with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop has been one of the biggest spenders during the months leading up to the primary. The winners of both primaries then look forward to a showdown at the ballot box on November 4th.
The early voting numbers were pretty healthy for an off year election. More than 300,000 mailed in ballots. Close to 150,000 cast ballots during a week of early voting that ended on Sunday.
