For all but two years since 1957, New Jersey’s 3rd District (Burlington-Ocean Counties) has sent a Republican to Congress. But this year, Democrats are making an all-out effort to take the 3rd by unseating two-term Rep. Tom MacArthur.
The moderate-to-conservative MacArthur is barely holding back Democrat Andy Kim, according to the Stockton Polling Institute poll released on Tuesday.
The survey found that, among likely voters, MacArthur is favored by 44.4 percent to 42.7 percent for onetime Obama National Security Council staffer Kim. Stockton also found that 5.1 percent of the district’s voters were undecided. The margin of error was +/-4.2 percent.
The contest in the 3rd District is drawing particular interest because of Kim, one of several alumnus of the Obama Administration who is seeking office himself with the backing of the 44th President’s widespread political network. Recently, Joe Biden stumped with Kim and drew swatches of publicity when he hit a local diner and took “selfies” with delighted patrons.
Kim hits hard at MacArthur's 2018 vow to repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). MacArthur, in turn, stresses his work with Democratic colleagues on such measures as those that benefit veterans.
“The 3rd race will be close, but Republicans almost always win the close races,” New Jersey’s former GOP State Chairman David Norcross told Newsmax, “MacArthur has the money for the expensive Philadelphia television market. But the key is Ocean County, and the Republican organization there is second to none.”
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.
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