Bruce Kahnfiser

The gubernatorial race in the Garden State is being closely watched as a window into voters' take on the first months of the second Trump administration.

Democratic Congresswoman Mikey Sherrill is leading in polls, though the margin has narrowed over her Republican opponent, Jack Cittarelli, over the past few months.

Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, is term-limited and approaching the end of his eight-year run.

Two historical trends will collide in this election.

It has been 100 years since Democrats won three consecutive gubernatorial races in New Jersey.

Yet it has been more than 50 years since New Jersey voters elected a governor who belonged to the same party as the sitting U.S.

president.

For NPR News, I'm Bruce Convisor in Greenbrook, New Jersey.