By Arlette Saenz, CNN

(CNN) — The high-profile battles to become the Democratic and Republican nominees for governor of New Jersey are centered on a single summer Garden State resident: President Donald Trump .

While Democrats have debated their approaches to housing, affordability and immigration, they all agree that part of the role of the state’s next governor is to serve as a check on Trump. On the Republican side, Trump has endorsed a one-time critic who came close to winning the governor’s race four years ago.

New Jersey is one of two states featuring a governor’s race this year, offering a gauge of voter sentiment about both Trump and the Democratic Party ahead of the 2026 midterms. While Virginia voters will also select a governor this year, New Jersey is the only election fe

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