How blue or red is NJ? Here’s how many times the Garden State chose a Republican governor

Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democratic Mikie Sherrill are facing each other for the 57th gubernatorial seat of New Jersey.

The Nov. 4 race is closely watched in all states, as New Jersey gubernatorial elections — held a year after presidential elections — have historically offered a glimpse into the public sentiment regarding the current administration in the White House ahead of the mid-terms.

And, even though blue New Jersey has not voted for a Republican president in over 30 years, Republican governors in the Garden State aren’t that rare.

In fact, since the mid-1970s, the track record of both parties has been even, with neither holding the governor’s seat for more than two consecutive terms.

Here are some stats to know ahead of this year’s elections:

How many times has New Jersey elected a Republican governor, president. Past NJ governor and presidential elections

Here’s how new Jersey has voted over the last 50 years:

Juan Carlos Castillo is a New Jersey-based trending reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Find him on Twitter at _JCCastillo.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ governor election: How many times have Republican candidates won?