It's on that issue that he seems to be running the most favorable among voters. Now, I guess it depends on voters in different states who don't like heavy-handed approaches to things and mandates and all the rest, even though he tried to juggle that. Where he gets high marks is his handling of COVID in the state. But he has to overcome that basic Democratic legacy in the off-year elections.ĬAVUTO: You know, it's interesting, Governor. He's not perhaps the most exciting candidate that gets people's passions up. That's how he's been running.Īnd that's where he - those people come out to vote. Jack Ciattarelli has - is counting on the conservative Republican base.

And it's certainly what the Republicans are counting on. And that's going to be a key factor here. They are - they assume they're going to win, unfortunately. The former assemblyman says that he has to get out and make sure he gets the votes that he needs. Jack Ciattarelli, who's running as a moderate has been highly critical of the governor's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and tells us he's now focused on fixing New Jersey's taxes, which are the highest in the nation. I caught up with both candidates out on the campaign trail in just the last few days. Voters here in the Garden State say that taxes, as well as the COVID response during the pandemic, are some of the most important issues for them during this election. New Jersey's deciding if they want to keep a Democratic Governor Phil Murphy for a second term or replace him. Let's get the very latest from Alexis McAdams in Jersey City, New Jersey - Alexis.ĪLEXIS MCADAMS, FOX NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Neil.

So it does raise questions that Phil Murphy isn't only battling the Grand Old Party, but some very stubborn grand old history.

But the anomaly in New Jersey for a Democratic governor seeking reelection is remarkable, that no Democratic governor has gotten reelected in his own right since Brendan Byrne did it back in 1977. But a number of Republicans have won the governorship there, just as they have in states that are also liberal, like Massachusetts, for example.

Fallout 2 heavy handed