The debate over the government shutdown has extended to New Jersey, where polls have shown a tightening governor’s race with a month to go before Election Day.
The contest to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy features Republican former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, who narrowly lost to Murphy four years ago, and Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill. It’s one of two gubernatorial races set for next month that are likely to act as a pulse check on how voters are feeling nearly a year into unified Republican control of the federal government.
The Trump administration cited the shutdown, in part, when it announced Wednesday that it was withholding roughly $18 billion in funds for two New York City infrastructure projects, including the Hudson River Tunnel Project, which is aimed at easing congestion between New Jersey and New York — a key issue for many North Jersey commuters.
