It's the Brian Larry Show on WNYC.

Good morning again, everyone.

Now we'll talk about the New Jersey governor's race.

The field is set for November, as you know, and both candidates are sharpening their messages.

Republican Jack Chittarelli, the former state legislator, has been leaning into culture war themes and calling for a sanctuary city ban, while also pitching New Jersey as a haven for New Yorkers disillusioned by progressive politics across the river in New York, I think especially if Mamdani is elected as mayor.

Democrat Mikey Cheryl, the Navy veteran and congresswoman, is opening the general election campaign with a focus on affordability and an effort to frame the race as a rejection of Trump-aligned politics,

and she associates Tidorelli with Trump, who supports him.

Nearly half of voters in the latest Rutgers-Eagleton poll say Trump is a major factor

in how they're thinking about this race, and that same poll shows Cheryl jumping out of the

gate with a 20-point lead, at least at this early

stage. So the contours of this context are coming into view, and so are the stakes. Joining

us now is Tom Martello, politics editor and political columnist for NJ advance media. That's

the star ledger in NJ.com. Tom, thanks for coming on WNYC today. Hey there.

Pleasure. And listeners, our phones are open, especially if you're a New Jersey voter. What's

most important to you in this governor's race? Property taxes, the cost of living, Trump, other

national politics, who has a question about either candidate 21 212-433, WNYC,

212, 433-9-6-92, call or text.

So Tom will start here because taxes and affordability are front and center as often in New Jersey

races.

Chitterelli is calling for property tax caps

and broad fiscal restraint on the part of state government. Cheryl argues that that'll come at

the expense of essential services if they cut back too much. Can you compare and contrast more

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