Recent polling of the closely watched New Jersey gubernatorial race shows Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill 7 points ahead of Republican rival Jack Ciattarelli.

Newsweek contacted the Sherrill campaign via email and also reached out to Ciattarelli for comment.

Why It Matters

The off-year election in traditionally Democratic-leaning New Jersey is an important bellwether ahead of the midterms, when Democrats are hoping that President Donald Trump's negative approval ratings will fuel a 2018-style blue wave.

Republicans aim to build off Trump's inroads with voters in New Jersey, which shifted about 10 points rightward from 2020 to 2024, and overcome the trend of the party outside of the White House performing well in these races.

Democrats face a test about whether their message i

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