Not too long ago Virginia was solid Republican territory. But with the advent of the Trump era and with the power of the liberal DC commuter northern counties, the state has turned very blue. However, issues that cut across party, like CRT, are giving Republican gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin a shot at winning office against retread Terry McAuliffe.

New Jersey is also up this year. The two states are the only two that elect governors in odd years. There the Republicans are not doing well, as that state, given its proximity to the Big Rotten Apple, is for now a lost cause. Though, one factor is interesting in both races. Both Democrats are trying to run against Trump. In the case of Virginia, it’s not working. Some voters are smarter than that.

FNC: “A new public opinion survey indicates a close contest in November’s gubernatorial showdown in Virginia, in an election that’s seen as a key barometer ahead of next year’s midterm elections, when control of Congress will be up for grabs.

According to a Monmouth University Poll released on Monday, former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe holds a five-point 48%-43% advantage over Republican nominee Glenn Youngkin among registered voters. The survey suggests that among the smaller pool of those likely to vote in Virginia’s governor’s election, McAuliffe holds a single digit edge anywhere from three to seven points, according to various turnout models. The survey from Monmouth, which was conducted Wednesday through Sunday (Sept. 22-26), is the latest to indicate a tight race between McAuliffe and Youngkin, a Republican businessman.

McAuliffe held a three-point edge over Youngkin in a Washington Post/George Mason University poll which surveyed likely voters earlier this month. That’s the same margin McAuliffe holds in an average of all of the latest polls in the race which was compiled by the polling and analysis website FiveThirtyEight.”

“Youngkin has an enthusiasm advantage,” Monmouth University polling institute director Patrick Murray said.

Youngkin hit MacAuliffe on his Trump mantra at a recent debate. “Terry, you just made folks in Las Vegas a lot of money,” Youngkin said. “There’s an over-under tonight on how many times you’re going to say ‘Donald Trump,’ and it was 10, and you just busted through it.”

The Republican nominee in New Jersey used the same tactic against his opponent. “If those of you at home are playing a drinking game where they have to take a shot every time he says ‘Trump,’ I suggest they stop, because they’re going to be bombed real soon,” Jack Ciattarelli said in response to Governor Phil Murphy.

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But guess what? The Democrat Trump lines are not paying off. “The Trump attacks aren’t moving any needles right now because it seems to have already been baked in to the voters’ calculations right now. If you had a strong opinion about Trump, you already knew whether you were going to vote D or R in these races,” Murray told press.