New: New Jersey's Democratic congressional primaries could affect the ideological balance of power in Congress — and in state government. My look at 3 key House races tomorrow: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/congress-races-new-jersey-democratic-primary_n_5f01e995c5b6acab2851fc5a?ncid=engmodushpmg00000004 via @HuffPostPol

1) NJ-2 -- a three-way race for the chance to unseat D-turned-R Jeff Van Drew.

Poli sci prof. Brigid Harrison is running on reviving South Jersey's economy.

“People here need hope, but they need more than hope ― they need results.”

But Harrison is backed by South Jersey's notorious machine, which has tried to stymie progressive elements of Gov. Phil Murphy's agenda.

So Murphy and @njwfa are backing Amy Kennedy, a former schoolteacher married to former Rep. Patrick Kennedy.

Kennedy is running, at least partly, on the Kennedy name:

"I'll continue the Kennedy legacy of putting people first."

But Kennedy has some baggage associated with her husband's work and political alliance she made with Atlantic City machine boss Craig Callaway, who did federal prison time for bribery and extortion.

Former Rep. Kennedy is waist-deep in Pharma, other health care money through his anti-addiction work. The executive from a company that provide care at for-profit prisons have donated to Amy's campaign.

Amy Kennedy also sits on an addiction treatment company's advisory board.

Amy Kennedy responds: “I am committed to addressing the growing mental health crisis in our nation and am willing to work with the people and organizations that support this mission."

Her campaign manager calls criticism of donations WellPath executives a “vicious ... attack.”

From cutting-room floor: Kennedy, unlike Harrison, opposes legalization of marijuana. Attached is the statement she gave me on it.

But Patrick Kennedy is one of country's leading anti-MJ advocates. Here he is on Tucker Carlson:

If this kind of a match made in Jersey swamp hell makes people thirsty for an alternative, progressive attorney @WillCunningham is also in the race. He has an incredible story -- an openly gay Black man raised in extreme poverty who became a top aide to Elijah Cummings.

Cunningham told me that the @CBCPAC informed him recently that they were reconsidering their non-endorsement of him. But he never heard from them after that.

Cunningham has had a hard time getting national traction. NJ Working Families Alliance says he didn't even court them.

But today he got a big endorsement from the
@PhillyInquirer.

https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/new-jersey-primary-endorsements-cunningham-gibbs-20200713.html

2) In a more ideological battle, @Arati4Congress, a progressive neuroscientist, is challenging @JoshGottheimer, a centrist ringleader.

“Progressives have a chance to replace Trump’s favorite Democrat with a progressive woman of color who is a scientist," @suealtman.

NJ-5 is a tough district for a progressive. If Kreibich wins, the GOP may make a real run for it.

But its suburban parts have been trending bluer. Kreibich is picking up last-minute momentum. A win in the suburbs, exurbs and countryside of North Jersey would be a big deal.

And for those unfamiliar with Gottheimer's role as a pro-Wall Street, foreign policy hawk who leads a kind of centrist freedom caucus, it's worth reading my summary.

He famously thwarted a vote on border aid with tougher humanitarian strings.

3) Finally, there's @Oseguera2020's long-shot bid to unseat @RepSires in NJ-8. As @akela_lacy & @ryangrim reported, Oseguera outsmarted the machine in an arcane ballot placement fight. He represents younger Latinos in the area who are less likely to be Cuban. (Fmr. Menendez seat)

Seriously, I'm pretty sure @akela_lacy and @ryangrim are the only *national* reporters who covered this race in any kind of depth.

Worth a read in @theintercept: https://theintercept.com/2020/05/06/new-jersey-democratic-primary-albio-sires-hector-oseguera/