Democrats will choose a nominee for New Jersey governor from among six prominent candidates, including two big-city mayors, two members of Congress and two union leaders. With a redesigned ballot intended to give all candidates a fair shot, it is the first race in decades that was not largely predetermined by local party leaders.

In a crowded race for governor, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill built a statewide coalition in the Democratic primary that stretched from New Jersey’s northernmost county down to Cape May. Turnout in the Democratic primary improved by more than 270,

Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli won their respective party’s primary on Tuesday, NBC News projected, and will face off in November’s general election for governor. New Jersey is just one of two states with a governor’s race this year,