Swing State Project Upgrades Shulman

by: Jason Springer

Sun Nov 02, 2008 at 04:15:06 PM EST

NJ-05 (Garrett): Likely Republican to Lean Republican

This expensive, Republican-leaning district on New Jersey's northern border was always going to be a tough nut to crack. But it looks like rabbi & psychologist Dennis Shulman has closed a lot of ground with uber-wingnut Scott Garrett and could be poised to deliver an upset. Shulman, a first-time candidate, has raised almost a million bucks and just got a dose of help from the DCCC.

He's also gotten under Garrett's skin, prompting shrill freak-outs and bizarre attacks. The only public polls of this race (by R2K) showed nice momentum for Shulman, while Garrett dangled below 50. It would still be an upset if Shulman were to win here, but a Dem victory now looks much more possible than at any time in the past. (David)

NJ-05 Garrett: Leans Republican

Shulman has incredible momentum at the moment, and with a week or two more this could be a tossup. As it is, he stands a legitimate shot at pulling off the upset here.