With 44 days until Election Day, three major national polls cited by NJ.com show Democrats leading Republicans on the congressional ballot, including a 51 percent to 43 percent advantage among likely voters in the New York Times/Siena poll. That poll also puts President Trump’s approval at 38 percent, with Democrats gaining ground on issues including the cost of living. The article’s two commentators see the moment differently. Democratic consultant Julie Roginsky argues Trump is “pretty much finished for the duration of his term,” while Republican consultant Mike DuHaime says the polling reflects a major shift from two years ago, particularly on the economy and among independents. Congress also left Washington for a seven-week pre-election recess after seven Republicans joined Democrats in passing another Iran war-powers resolution. The early recess delayed action on Rep. Thomas Massie’s effort involving Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his push for additional Epstein-file disclosures. DuHaime says avoiding weeks of votes on Hegseth and Epstein was politically advantageous for House Republican leaders. The discussion also turns to artificial intelligence, trade with Canada, mail-in voting and New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. In that race, the article cites a poll showing Democrat Rebecca Bennett at 47 percent and Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. at 42 percent, a difference the article notes remains within the poll’s margin of error.
