HACKETTSTOWN – It’s been a newsy week for Sue Altman in CD-7.

She trumpeted a poll that had her a mere two points behind Republican Thomas H. Kean Jr, which is a statistical tie.

But at just about the same time, the Cook Political Report changed its rating of the race from “tossup” to “lean Republican.”

What gives?

“Those two things are incongruous,” Altman said Thursday night after holding a town hall at Centenary University.

“We have one of the best pollsters in the business,” Altman said, referring to Global Strategy Group. “I trust our poll.”

The poll in question had Kean ahead 47 to 45 percent in a mostly suburban district covering at least parts of six counties – Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.

As for the Cook analysis, she said, “I don’t think Cook is particularly right here. I think they got this way wrong.”

Moreover, Altman said her focus in the last three weeks or so is to concentrate on meeting and listening to people in the district.

Or as she put it, her concern is “not singing and dancing for people writing paywall articles in D.C.”

The town hall on the university campus was the sixth of Altman’s campaign with one more on the schedule in Union County.

Kean, most infamously, does not hold town halls. Nor does he normally engage with the press or hold publicized events. This night provided another example of that.

Dale Caldwell, the university president, said the plan was to have a debate between both candidates, but only Altman agreed to show up.

Kean has agreed to a virtual debate with Altman that will take place Sunday night.

Altman’s town halls are real town halls; no pre-written questions.

She actually says she mirrors the concept after Chris Christie’s town halls when he was governor.

Altman’s events have not been as colorful and YouTube-worthy as some of the former governor’s interactions were. But then again, she’s only a candidae.

On this night, Altman said in answer to a question that she supports an 8-year term limit for members of the House.

Asked about student debt, a logical question on a college campus, she said various avenues need to be explored, including why college tuition has skyrocketed so much in the first place. She also said it is important to acknowledge that all young people may not want to go to college. That makes trade schools and apprenticeship programs valuable.

At these events, Altman always stresses her strong support for women’s reproductive rights, strong gun laws and her fights against corruption.

As most political observers know, she was physically removed from a 2019 legislative hearing looking into grants and tax benefits going to businesses controlled by South Jersey Democratic leader George Norcross.

Altman is pretty sure she’s getting the last laugh.

She’s running for Congress and Norcross is under indictment.