NJ’s 3rd Congressional District Race considered a Toss Up

Voters can make a difference in the closely watched mid-term election. The Third District is the state's most competitive by party registration: 27 percent are Democrats, 28 percent are Republicans and 48 percent are unaffiliated. 

"One of the interesting things about this District is as well is that while the Republican candidate Jon Runyan won the District in 2012, Barack Obama also won it," pointed out Joe Patten, Department Chair of Political Science & Sociology at Monmouth University in West Long Branch. "That shows this is truly one of the very few competitive two-party Districts in the country."

With Runyon not seeking re-election, the race is under the national microscope. Republicans could have a slight edge though with recent polls showing President Obama's approving rating slipping in New Jersey.

"The President's party typically throughout history takes a big hit during mid-term elections," according to Patten. "In 2010 Barack Obama's Democratic Party lost over 60 seats, which is one of the fourth worst in history," he said. Also adding, with Obama already taking the hit, "The questions is: How many more seats can be lost?"