>>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIAND OF A NOSY.

>>> GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS TUESDAY JUNE 7th PRIMARY NIGHT.

I AM BRIAND OF A NOSY.

NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF SEVEN STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY HOLDING PRIMARY ELECTIONS WITH POLLS OPENING AT 6:00 A.M. NEARLY 267,000 VOTERS ALREADY CASTING EARLY BALLOTS OR BY MAIL.

SETTING THE STAGE FOR THE U.S. HOUSE AND SENATE MIDTERM ELECTIONS THIS FALL.

AND THE DEMOCRATS CONTROL OF CONGRESS IS IN PLAY.

VOTERS IN NEW JERSEY SELECTING CANDIDATES IN ALL 12 OF THE STATES CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WITH CONTESTED RACES FOR THE NOMINATIONS IN 10 OF THEM.

NOMINATIONS FOR COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL CONTESTS, THOSE ARE ALSO AT STAKE.

IT IS A CROWDED FIELD FOR REPUBLICAN CHALLENGERS HOPING TO REGAIN SOME OF THE SEATS LOST FOUR YEARS AGO DURING THE BACKLASH AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

A HANDFUL OF POLITICAL FAR RIGHT CANDIDATES ARE EMBRACING THE MEGA BRAND HOPING IT WILL TRANSLATE TO VOTES AND, OF COURSE, A WIN.

PRIMARY ELECTIONS IN NEW JERSEY HAVE A HISTORICALLY LOW VOTER TURNOUT.

JUST 13% OF ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS VOTED IN THE 2018 MIDTERM PRIMARIES.

THE GOVERNOR AND FIRST LADY, YOU CAN SEE THEM THERE, CASTING THEIR BALLOTS IN MIDDLETOWN THIS MORNING AFTER A JOG.

NOTING THEY WERE JUST THE FOURTH AND FIFTH VOTERS IN THE DISTRICT TO SHOW UP AT THAT POLLING SITE.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN STATE HISTORY, VOTERS HAD THREE WAYS TO CAST A BALLOT THIS SEASON.

EARLY IN PERSON ON ELECTION DAY, AND BY MAIL.

SO HOW WILL IT AFFECT TONIGHT'S RESULTS?

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> Reporter: PRIMARY VOTERS ACROSS NEW JERSEY ARE PROUD TO PULL THE LEVER TODAY.

>> I THINK IT IS A CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY TO VOTE.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO VOTE IN PERSON BECAUSE I THINK IT IS MORE RELIABLE.

I FEEL MORE SECURE GOING IN THERE INTO THE BOOTH AND VOTING FOR MYSELF AND GETTING IT REGISTERED.

>> THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT RIGHT THAT WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY.

WE CANNOT TAKE IT LIGHTLY.

EVERY PRIMARY, EVERY GENERAL ELECTION I AM HERE VOTING.

>> Reporter: THESE VOTERS WILL BE AMONG THE CLOSE TO 267,000 VOTES ALREADY CAST STATEWIDE.

MORE THAN 20,000 VOTED EARLY AND IN PERSON.

JUST OVER 246,000 THE A MAIL-IN BALLOT.

DESPITE TRADITIONALLY LOW TURNOUTS IN PRIMARIES ONLY 13% BACK IN 2018 FOR THAT MIDTERM ELECTION.

THE PARTIES HOPE TO BRING A BUNCH OF VOTERS WITH DIFFERENT APPROACHES.

ACCORDING TO THE STATE PARTY CHAIRS.

>> GUN-CONTROL AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

THOSE ARE GOING TO BE THE ISSUES THAT, YOU KNOW, ARE TALKED ABOUT.

NEW JERSEY HAS A STRONG GUN- CONTROL LAWS, AS WELL AS, YOU KNOW, REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS PRIVILEGES.

BUT THEY ARE UNDER ATTACK AND, YOU KNOW, FOLKS ARE SHARPLY FOCUSED ON WHAT THEY SEE IN THE NATIONAL NEWS.

THAT IS GOING TO HIT HARD AND EVERY ONE OF THOSE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

NO DOUBT IN MY MIND.

>> INFLATION IS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

WE HEAR ABOUT IT EVERY DAY.

PORTABILITY HAS BEEN A LONG- TERM ISSUE IN NEW JERSEY, BUT INFLATION IS A TAX ON ALL NEW JERSEYANS.

ESPECIALLY LOWER INCOME NEW JERSEYANS.

WE ARE HEARING LOTS OF TOUGH STORIES, BUT INFLATION IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE BRINGING PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE CAME TO THE POLLS, VOTED BY MAIL, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A NEW JERSEY PRIMARY THEY COULD VOTE EARLY AND IN PERSON.

DESPITE ALL THAT, VOTER TURNOUT MIGHT NOT CRACK 5%.

THE UNION COUNTY CLERK SAYS THERE IS A FEW REASONS WHY SO FEW PEOPLE VOTED.

>> IT IS AN OFF YEAR ELECTION.

IT IS A NEW CONCEPT TO PEOPLE, AND VOTING BEFORE IN PERSON.

SO TO SOMETHING PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE TO GET USED TO.

I EXPECT THE TURN OUT TO BE LOW, BUT I AM URGING PEOPLE AT HOME WHO STILL HAVE THIS YELLOW ENVELOPE SOMEWHERE IN THEIR HOUSE, TO OPEN IT UP AND CAST THEIR BALLOT.

IT IS SUCH A PRIVILEGE AND RIGHT TO VOTE IN THIS COUNTRY.

I HOPE MORE PEOPLE WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

THE SYSTEM IS SAFE AND SECURE.

AND TONIGHT I WILL BE COUNTING EVERY SINGLE VOTE.

>> I HOPE THAT EARLY VOTING WILL CATCH ON.

IT IS NOT OUR CULTURE YET, IN NEW JERSEY.

BUT I AM HOPEFUL THAT, AS WORD GETS OUT, WE WILL SEE AN INCREASE IN EARLY VOTING.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER FACTOR IS HOW MANY CANDIDATES ARE RUNNING UNOPPOSED.

YOU MIGHT PEOPLE THINK THEIR BALLOT DOESN'T MATTER.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU LIVE IN THE 10th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT THERE ARE 16 RACES.

BUT ONLY TWO OF THEM HAVE CANDIDATES RUNNING AGAINST EACH OTHER.

WE SEE THAT AS AN OPPORTUNITY.

>> SOME PEOPLE MIGHT THINK IT IS NOT NECESSARY.

BUT WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SOMEONE TO WRITE IN THEIR NAME.

WE HAVE THAT VERY OFTEN.

FOR EXAMPLE, I HAVE WRITINGS IN SCHOOL BOARDS AND PEOPLE HAVE WON AS A RIGHT IN.

PEOPLE HAVE EVEN WON COUNCIL SEATS AS RIGHT INS.

>> Reporter: POLLING PLACES STAY OPEN UNTIL 8:00 TONIGHT.

IN UNION COUNTY, I AM TED GOLDBERG.

>>> TONIGHT WE ARE KEEPING A CLOSE WATCH ON SEVERAL OF THE MOST COMPETITIVE CONGRESSIONAL RACES.

FIVE INCUMBENT DEMOCRATS WILL BE RENOMINATED UNOPPOSED.

THE REST OF THE DELEGATION IS FENDING OFF OPPONENTS.

PENDING ESTABLISHMENT VERSUS ANTIESTABLISHMENT CANDIDATES AGAINST ONE ANOTHER.

OUR PORTERS ARE FANNED OUT ACROSS THE STATE.

WE BEGIN WITH BRENDA FLANAGAN.

>> Reporter: I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN COVERING THE SEVENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

IT IS A LOW-KEY PRIMARY, JUST UNDER 30,000 VOTED IN ADVANCE.

ABOUT A THIRD OF THEM REPUBLICANS.

IT IS REPUBLICANS WHO POSTED THE LARGEST FIELD OF CANDIDATES IN A BATTLE TO SEE WHO IS THE REAL CONSERVATIVE?

IN A FIELD OF SEVEN REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES, HERE IS THE GUY TO BEAT.

FORMER SENATE MINORITY LEADER TOM KANE JR. HIS MULTIPLE ADVANTAGES INCLUDE TOP PARTYLINE SPOTS ON COUNTY BALLOTS, THE MOST CAMPAIGN CASH, AND THE FAMILY NAME.

HIS DAD IS A HIGHLY POPULAR FORMER GOVERNOR, TOM KANE.

COMPARED TO JR., THE OTHER SIX CANDIDATES ALL SKEW WAY RIGHT.

>> THERE DOING ANYTHING TO SCRAP THEIR WAY TO THE TOP.

ARGUABLY THERE ARE TOO MANY CHALLENGERS AND THEIR DIVIDING UP THEIR VOTE.

BUT THEY HAVE GOT TO DO WHAT THEY CAN AND WHAT THEY CAN DO IS TRY TO RUN TO THE RIGHT OF HIM.

>> Reporter: FOR EXAMPLE, JOHN FLORA.

HE IS AMONG THE SIX CONTENDERS VYING TO DEFEAT HIM, APPEALING TO THE PARTIES HARD-LINE BASE.

FLORA WANTS TO ABOLISH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

>> WE NOW HAVE THREE FULL GENERATIONS OF TEACHERS THAT ARE ANTI-FAMILY, ANTI-RELIGION, ANTI-CAPITALIST, ANTI-AMERICAN.

AND NOW THEY'RE TEACHING OUR KIDS THAT IN THIRD GRADE YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR GENDER.

TWO OTHER CANDIDATES INCLUDE ERIC PETERSON, STERLING SCHWAB, KEVIN DORLAND, AND JOHN HENRY EISEMAN.

--SIGNS CALLING HIM A RHINO REPUBLICAN IN NAME ONLY.

HE RESPONDED WITH A CAMPAIGN MAILER VOWING TO BACK THE TRUMP AGENDA.

>> I SUPPORT AN AGENDA THAT HAS THE BACKS OF COPS.

THAT FOCUSES ON CUTTING INFLATION, SECURES THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

THOSE ARE MY PRIORITY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, AS WELL AS GOING FORWARD.

>> Reporter: YOU WOULDN'T SAY SPECIFICALLY WHETHER HE SOUGHT TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT.

HE BLAMED DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT TOM MALINOWSKI FOR INFLATION AND HIGH GAS PRICES.

MALINOWSKI, WHO IS EXPECTED TO EASILY DEFEAT LOW VISIBILITY CHALLENGER ROGER BACON IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY, WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR COMMENT.

HE IS IN WASHINGTON TONIGHT, HIS CAMPAIGN SAYS.

PULLS CLOSE AT 8:00 P.M.

IN WESTFIELD, I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> Reporter: I AM JOANNA GAGIS IN THE EIGHTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WHERE YOU CAN SAY THIS RACE IS DAVID AGAINST GOLIATH.

LIFE BEING ROBERT MENENDEZ, SON OF NEW JERSEY'S U.S.

SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ.

HE IS BEING CHALLENGED.

IT IS FAIR TO SAY THAT THIS RACE HAS BEEN MISMATCHED FROM THE START.

SOME HAVE EVEN SAID THAT I'LL BE ACERRA'S CONGRESSMAN WHO IS RETIRING AFTER SERVING IN CONGRESS FOR 16 YEARS HAS ALL BUT HANDED THE SEAT TO MENENDEZ.

HE QUICKLY SECURED THE PARTY LINE WHICH, IN NEW JERSEY, IS ALMOST A GUARANTEE OF WINNING THE ELECTION.

MENENDEZ IS AN ATTORNEY, HE ALSO SERVES ON THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.

AND HE IS A DAD WITH A YOUNG FAMILY HAVING, HERE, IN JERSEY CITY.

CHALLENGING HIM HIS POLITICAL NEWCOMER WHO IS THE SON OF IMMIGRANTS RUNNING AS A PROGRESSIVE.

HE SAYS HE SUPPORTS THE GREEN NEW DEAL, MEDICAID FOR ALL, AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHICH, HERE IN THE EIGHTH DISTRICT REALLY RESONATES WITH MANY.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH HIM CAMPAIGNING IN JERSEY CITY AND UNION CITY TODAY.

WHERE HE SAID HE FELT ENCOURAGED BY THE PEOPLE HE SPOKE WITH.

BUT HE ACKNOWLEDGED VOTER TURNOUT WAS PRETTY LOW TODAY.

AND THEN THERE IS A TEACHER IN WEEHAWKEN.

SHE SAID SHE IS RUNNING TO MAKE COLLEGE MORE AFFORDABLE, CLEAN UP THE ENVIRONMENT, AND SHE HAS MORE SPECIFIC GOALS CREATING A U.S. SECRETARY OF CULTURE AND CREATING RECREATIONAL SPACES WHERE TEENS CAN HANG OUT.

WE'LL SEE HOW MUCH THOSE ISSUES RESONATE WITH VOTERS IN NEW JERSEY.

SHE HAS ALSO PRIDED HERSELF ON THE FACT THAT SHE HAS RAISED ZERO DOLLARS FOR HER CAMPAIGN.

SHE SAYS SHE IS USING HER MARKETING SKILLS TO GET THE WORD OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

WE WILL SEE HOW EFFECTIVE THAT STRATEGY IS LATER TONIGHT.

COMPARE THAT TO GRAJALES WHO SAYS HE SPENT NEARLY ALL OF HIS MONEY BUT HE SAYS POUNDING THE PAVEMENT IS HOW HE GOT HIS VOTERS TO VOTE FOR HIM.

COMPARE THAT TO THE MORE THAN $1 MILLION RAISED BY MENENDEZ WHO SPENT MOST OF THAT LEAVING HIM FLUSH WITH CASH TO CONTINUE ON TO THE GENERAL ELECTION IF HE SECURES THE PRIMARY WIN TONIGHT.

WHICH, BY ALL ACCOUNTS, IT LOOKS LIKE HE WILL.

IN JERSEY CITY, I AM JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER, IN THE THIRD DISTRICT, OUTSIDE OF THE GYM OWNED BY CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE IAN SMITH IS ALSO THE PLACE WHERE HIS POLITICAL CAREER AND NOTORIETY BEGAN EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC.

THIS IS VIDEO OF SMITH BACK IN THE SPRING OF 2020 KICKING DOWN THE WOOD USED TO BOARD UP THE FRONT OF HIS BUSINESS.

HE RISKED JAIL TIME BY REFUSING TO SHUT IT DOWN UNDER GOVERNOR MURPHY'S EXECUTIVE ORDER PROMPTING ALTERCATIONS WITH POLICE OUTSIDE THE GYM.

THIS DEFIANCE ULTIMATELY GAINED NATIONAL ATTENTION AND FAME.

SMITH NOW SAYS HE IS RUNNING TO MAKE SURE THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT IMPLEMENT THE LOCKDOWNS HE CALLED UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

HE FACES NICHOLAS FERREIRA, A MAN WHO SAYS HE NEVER LIKES POLITICS OR POLITICIANS.

AND BUSINESS AND BOB HEALY.

HEALY LEARNED HIS CAMPAIGN $260,000 BE NOTICED IN D.C.

THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE HAS ADDED HIM TO HIS LIST OF POTENTIALLY COMPETITIVE GOP CHALLENGERS AMID A POTENTIAL RED WAVE THIS MIDTERM.

HE ALSO HAS THE BACKING OF THE GOP ESTABLISHMENT, WHICH COULD GIVE HIM AN ADVANTAGE IN THIS RACE.

SMITH HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF CONTROVERSY.

HE IS FACING A DUI CHARGE AFTER POLICE STOP LAST MONTH.

IN 15 YEARS AGO WAITED GUILTY TO SECOND-DEGREE VEHICULAR HOMICIDE.

WHOEVER WINS THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ELECTION WILL FACE OFF AGAINST INCUMBENT CONGRESSMAN AND HE CAME IN NOVEMBER'S ELECTION.

HE HOLDS A NUMBER OF ADVANTAGES OVER HIS REPUBLICAN COUNTERPARTS WITH REDISTRICTING MAKING THE BOUNDARIES OF HIS DISTRICT MORE FAVORABLE.

AND MILLIONS OF MORE CAMPAIGN DOLLARS IN HIS WAR CHEST.

IN BELMAR, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> I AM ERVIN SANTANA REPORTING ON THE RACE IN DISTRICT FOUR.

I MET CEDAR GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, ONE OF MANY POLLING LOCATIONS WHERE VOTERS WILL NEED TO DECIDE ON WHETHER THEY WANT TO KEEP INCUMBENT CONGRESSMAN CHRIS SMITH IN OFFICE OR REPLACE HIM WITH ONE OF TWO OPPONENTS.

A PODCASTER OR FORMER FBI AGENT WHO IS RUNNING AGAINST HIM.

I HAVE SPOKEN TO A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENTERED AND EXITED THIS POLLING LOCATION.

WHILE WE KNOW INCUMBENCY IS A VERY POWERFUL THING, THE QUESTION REMAINS, DO PEOPLE WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT?

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHO THE CANDIDATES ARE AND WHAT THEY HAVE TO OFFER.

OF COURSE WE WILL START WITH THE MOST RECOGNIZED, THE BOLD NAME ON THE BALLOT, WHICH IS THE INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN CHRIS SMITH.

HE IS ONE OF THE LONGEST SERVING POLITICIANS IN CONGRESS.

HE HAS BEEN IN OFFICE SINCE GETTING ELECTED OVER 41 YEARS AGO IN 1980 DURING THE CARTER ADMINISTRATION, AND IS ALSO RATED AMONG THE MOST MODERATE OF REPUBLICANS.

HE'S BEING CHALLENGED BY TWO CANDIDATES FROM THE FAR RIGHT WING OF THE PARTY.

FORMER FBI AGENT STEVE GRAY, AND CONSERVATIVE PODCASTER MIKE CRISPI.

CALL SMITH A RINO.

REPUBLICAN IN NAME ONLY.

OCEAN COUNTY IS TRADITIONALLY REPUBLICAN.

SO WHOEVER WANTS A PRIMARY ELECTION WILL LIKELY BE REPRESENTING THE DISTRICT IN WASHINGTON NEXT YEAR.

IT IS NOW UP TO VOTERS TO DECIDE HOW MODERATE OR EXTREME THEY WANT THE REPRESENTATIVES TO BE.

CRISPI HAS BEEN COUNTING THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT BUT HASN'T ACTUALLY GOT ONE.

HE IS ALSO HIRED CONTROVERSIAL TRUMP ALLY ROGER STONE AS AN ADVISER.

HE RECENTLY CAMPAIGNED WITH FORMER TRUMP NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR MICHAEL FLYNN.

GRAY SAYS HE BELIEVES THERE WAS VOTER FRAUD AND CRIMES COMMITTED IN THE 2020 ELECTION.

AND CRITICIZING SMITH FOR VOTING FOR THE $1.2 TRILLION INFRASTRUCTURE LAW THAT THE WHITE HOUSE REPORTS WOULD PROVIDE AT LEAST $13.5 BILLION TO NEW JERSEY FOR ROADS, BRIDGES, AND OTHER PROJECTS.

IN THIS DISTRICT VOTERS WILL DECIDE IF THE ESTABLISHED CANDIDATE WILL STAY IN POWER, OR IF A FAR RIGHT VOICE WILL TAKE THE SEAT.

IN TOMS RIVER, I AM ERVIN SANTANA FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> WITHOUT A MARQUEE RACE TOPPING THE TICKET, TODAY'S VOTE COMES DOWN TO THE PARTY FAITHFUL.

RESIDENTS WHO ARE FINELY TUNED INTO BOTH THE CANDIDATES AND THE ISSUES.

ANALYSTS SAY LOW TURNOUT LEAVES ROOM FOR SURPRISES, POSSIBLY AN UPSET.

FOR MORE INSIDE I'M JOINED BY ASHLEY KONING, DIRECTOR FOR THE EAGLETON CENTER FOR PUBLIC INTEREST POLLING.

ASHLEY, WELCOME.

I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE WATCHING FOR IN PARTICULAR, TONIGHT.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK FOR RACES TO WATCH, LET'S LOOK AT THE SEVENTH ESPECIALLY.

WE KNOW THAT IS MARKED FOR THE GENERAL AS LEANING REPUBLICAN AGAINST MALINOWSKI.

I WOULD SAY FOR, KIND OF, THE SENSATIONALISM ASPECT LOOKING TOWARD THE THIRD.

OF COURSE WE'VE HEARD A LOT OF STORIES COME OUT FOR THE THIRD REGARDING, ESPECIALLY, THE CANDIDATE SMITH.

IN TERMS OF HIS DEFIANCE OF COVID ORDERS AND TWO DUIs.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, A BIG MEDIA NARRATIVE SURROUNDING THAT CANDIDATE AND, OF COURSE, SOME PRETTY BIG IMPLICATIONS POLITICALLY IN THE SEVENTH DEPENDING ON IF KANE BEARS A WIN AGAINST SEVERAL REPUBLICAN OPPONENTS.

>> WHAT YOU MAKE OF THE CHALLENGERS?

THE DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENTS ARE FACING FOLKS WHO ARE PAINTING THEMSELVES AS MORE PROGRESSIVE.

QUITE A FEW OF THE GOP CANDIDATES ARE PLAYING TO THE FAR RIGHT.

BASED ON POLLING, BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW, DOES THAT WORK WELL WITH NEW JERSEY VOTERS?

>> CLASSICALLY, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE LITERATURE OF POLITICS, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT GOING TOWARD THE MEDIAN VOTER.

THESE KIND OF POLITICAL EXTREMES USUALLY DO NOT WORK WELL.

BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT CAVEAT USUALLY, BECAUSE POLITICS HAS BEEN COMPLETELY UNPRECEDENTED SINCE PRETTY MUCH 2016.

WE HAVE SEEN THIS TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

WE SAW THIS IN THE 2010 MIDTERMS AFTER THE HISTORIC ELECTION OF 2008.

IT IS NOT A SURPRISE THAT WE SEE MORE EXTREME CANDIDATES.

THIS IS, KIND OF, THAT TURNING POINT MOMENT PERHAPS FOR THE GOP IN NEW JERSEY WHERE THESE PRIMARIES MIGHT DETERMINE HOW THE GOP WITHIN THE GARDEN STATE DECIDES TO WIN FUTURE ELECTIONS.

IF WE SEE SUCCESS FOR A LOT OF THESE FURTHER RIGHT-WING CANDIDATES AND NOT FOR THE MODERATE REPUBLICANS, THOSE WHO ARE BEING PRIMARIES, THAT COULD BE REALLY TELLING IN TERMS OF WHICH WAY THE PARTY WILL GO IN THIS STATE.

A MUCH MORE NATURAL DIRECTION THAN WE SEEM.

>> I THINK OF JACK CHIARELLI IN THE LAST RACE WHO WAS REALLY CHALLENGED BY, I WILL SAY, THE TRUMP WING OF THE PARTY THAT A MODERATE COULDN'T WIN.

AND IT CAME TO THE GENERAL ELECTION AND IT WAS THE THINNEST MARGIN.

>> THAT IS WHAT NEW JERSEY HAS EMBODIED FOR SO LONG.

WE SAW HIS SLIGHT DANCE WITH TRUMPISM DID NOT PLAY IN HIS FAVOR IN THOSE INITIAL MONTHS OF THE ELECTION CYCLE.

REALLY, THAT GAP DID NARROW A GAP CLOSER THAN ANYONE COULD HAVE SUSPECTED WHEN HE STARTED HITTING HOME ABOUT BREAD AND BUTTER ISSUES LIKE TAXES FOR NEW JERSEYANS.

THOSE ARE THE ISSUES NEW JERSEYANS CARE ABOUT.

WE KNOW NEW JERSEYANS ARE PRETTY PURPLE WHEN IT COMES TO POLITICS, AS MUCH AS WE ARE PAINTED BLUE.

FISCALLY WE ARE TO THE RIGHT.

BUT SOCIALLY WE ARE MORE TOWARD THE MODERATE AND LEFT.

SO CANDIDATES REALLY NEED TO EMBRACE THAT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE IN TERMS OF A STRATEGY TO WIN AN ELECTION.

WE SAW HIM DO THAT IN THE FINAL MONTHS.

MAYBE THAT IS THE WAY TO GO FOR A LOT OF THESE CANDIDATES IN THE PRIMARIES AND THE GENERAL IN THE FALL.

TO YOU, PERHAPS MAYBE IN THE SEVENTH WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A CANDIDATE LIKE TOM KANE.

DOES THE GOP NEED A TRADITIONAL CANDIDATE LIKE THAT TO BE COMPETITIVE IN THIS CLIMATE?

I THINK THAT IS WHAT I'M HEARING YOU SAY.

>> YEAH, THIS SEAT IS PRETTY CRUCIAL.

NOT ONLY FOR NEW JERSEY, BUT IMPLICATIONS FOR THE NEXT CONGRESS AS WELL.

WE ARE SEEING IN REPORTS RIGHT NOW, THAT THIS IS A LEANING REPUBLICAN RACE.

THAT IS ASSUMING THAT KANE TAKES THE TICKET FOR THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

BUT HE IS FACING A NUMBER OF MUCH FURTHER RIGHT OPPONENTS WERE ALSO MAKING HIM GO FURTHER TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO MAKE A WIN IN THIS PRIMARY.

I THINK TIME WILL TELL IF WE SEE THE FAR RIGHT CANDIDATES ACROSS THE BOARD WIN OUT OVER THE MORE TRADITIONAL MODERATE REPUBLICANS THAT ARE SO USED TO ACTUALLY DOING QUITE WELL WITH IN NEW JERSEY.

TO VERY QUICKLY, UNAFFILIATED VOTERS, HOW MUCH OF A SWING COULD WE BE SEEING TONIGHT?

>> PRIMARIES ARE ALWAYS LOW INTEREST LOW TURNOUT ELECTIONS IN THE, YOU KNOW, LOW TEENS THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE RECENT PAST.

I DON'T THINK WE ARE GOING TO SEE A HUGE DIFFERENCE HERE.

AGAIN, THIS COMES DOWN TO THE PEOPLE WHO ALWAYS VOTE.

WHO ARE CHRONIC VOTERS AND HAVE INTEREST IN THE PRIMARIES.

AGAIN, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT IS GOING TO COME DOWN TO THESE MORE EXTREME PARTS OF EACH PARTY BASE.

>> CHRONIC VOTERS.

I LIKE THAT.

ASHLEY KONING, DIRECTOR FOR THE EAGLETON CENTER FOR PUBLIC INTEREST POLLING.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> BE SURE TO STAY WITH US TONIGHT FOR OUR LARGE NJ DECIDES 2022 PRIMARY NIGHT COVERAGE.

WE WILL HAVE THE FINAL VOTES PLUS POLITICAL ANALYSIS AND LIVE REPORTS FROM THE KEY CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY RACES WE ARE WATCHING.

THAT IS A:30 P.M. STREAMING ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

AND 10:00 P.M.

RIGHT HERE ON NJ PBS.

UNTIL THEN, HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND CLICK ON THE NJ DECIDES 2022 TAB FOR EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHO IS RUNNING IN YOUR DISTRICT, WHERE TO VOTE, AND HOW TO VOTE.

POLLS CLOSE AT 8:00 P.M. >>> WE HATE TO SAY IT, BUT GAS PRICES HIT ANOTHER RECORD HIGH IN THE STATE, TODAY.

AND THEY ARE NOT DROPPING ANYTIME SOON.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS, PLUS ALL OF TONIGHT'S BUSINESS HEADLINES.

RHONDA, HOW BAD IS IT?

>> TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND LOOK AT THIS.

GAS PRICES IN NEW JERSEY HAVE NOW HIT FIVE DOLLARS A GALLON ON AVERAGE.

PRICES KEEP RISING BECAUSE DEMAND IS STRONG AND OIL PRICES REMAIN HIGH.

I ASKED AAA SPOKESWOMAN TRACY NOBLE WHERE WE GO FROM HERE.

>> RIGHT NOW, FROM WHAT WE ARE HEARING, IS IT POSSIBLE TO HIT SIX DOLLARS BY MIDSUMMER?

I HATE TO SAY THAT IN PREDICT THAT, BUT IT IS CERTAINLY NOT OUT OF THE REALM OF POSSIBILITY.

AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR IF YOU WOULD HAVE ASKED US IF WE WOULD SEE FIVE DOLLARS WE WOULD HAVE LIKELY SAID NO.

BUT HERE WE ARE.

>> GAS PRICES IN NEW JERSEY ARE HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, AND ALSO HIGHER THAN NEIGHBORING NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA.

STATE LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING CHANGES TO NEW JERSEY'S SENIOR FREEZE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROGRAM.

THEY ARE PROPOSING REVISING THE PROGRAM SO THAT THOSE ENROLLED CAN REMAIN ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS EVEN IF THEY MOVE INTO A NEW HOME.

NJ SPOTLIGHT JOHN WRIGHT MEYER EXPLAINS, THERE IS A WAITING PERIOD FOR REIMBURSEMENT IF A HOMEOWNER MOVES.

>> IF YOU'RE MOVING TO A SMALLER HOME, HUGH MIGHT THINK YOU HAVE A SMALLER PROPERTY TAX BILL.

BUT IF YOU BEEN IN THE SENIOR FREEZE PROGRAM FOR QUITE A NUMBER OF YEARS, THOSE REIMBURSEMENT CHECKS CAN GET PRETTY HEFTY.

IT COULD ACTUALLY DRIVE UP YOUR PROPERTY TAXES IN THE LONG RUN, EVEN AS YOU ARE SEEKING TO GET SOME RELIEF BY MOVING INTO A SMALLER DWELLING.

>> TO LEARN MORE TAKE OUT JOHN'S STORY ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

>>> STREAMING COMPANY NETFLIX HAS BEEN ON A PARCEL OF LAND IN FORT MONMOUTH.

FOR SOME TIME THERE HAS BEEN SPECULATION THAT NETFLIX WANTS TO SET UP A PRODUCTION STUDIO IN NEW JERSEY.

THE NEARLY 300 ACRE PARCEL ON THE FORMER ARMY BASE WAS PUT OUT TO BID IN MARCH BY THE FORT MONMOUTH ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION AUTHORITY IN ADDITION TO THE NETFLIX BID, THREE OTHER BIDS WERE RECEIVED.

ANOTHER POTENTIAL SETBACK FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM MALL.

THE PROPERTIES DEVELOPERS MISSED THEIR LATEST BOND PAYMENT ACCORDING TO A REPORT IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.

555 HAS A GRACE PERIOD UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF THIS MONTH TO MAKE THE PAYMENT, ACCORDING TO THE REPORT.

555 DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

>>> NOW HERE'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S STOCK MARKET TRADING.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, AND THESE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> THAT IS IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

BETWEEN OUR ELECTION COVERAGE, BE SURE TO CATCH NJ PBS'S NEW MUSIC SERIES, SOUND CHECK, PREMIERING TONIGHT AT 9:30 P.M. ONE OF OUR VERY OWN PRODUCERS, JEN ECKERT, NOW HOST TALKS WITH ARTISTS LIKE JAKE SHIMON VACCARO ABOUT THE STORIES BEHIND THEIR SONGS AND THE MUSIC ICONS THEY COLLABORATE WITH INCLUDING JIMMY BUFFETT AND KENNY LOGGINS.

THAT IS 9:30 P.M.

RIGHT HERE ON NJ PBS.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI, FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE FOR OUR PRIMARY COVERAGE.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RW J BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND WORSTED, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED AND I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE.

A CHANCE TO BE KNOWN AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA AND I'M PROUD TO BE A NJ EA MEMBER.

>> NJ M INSURANCE COMPANIES HAVE BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

BUT JUST WHO ARE NJ M POLICIES HOLDERS?

THERE THE SOCIAL SERVICE AND NONPROFIT PIONEERS WHO LENT A HELPING HAND.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATORS.

THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PROVIDE OUR SKILLED LABOR.

AND OUR HOMEGROWN CHAMPIONS.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NJ M. WE HAVE NEW JERSEY COVERED.

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