Retired teacher Tanzie Youngblood got in the CD2 race early, before state Senator Jeff Van Drew (D-1), in hopes of succeeding retiring U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2).

In possession of all the lines, Team Van Drew is confident of victory tonight in the Democratic Primary.

Youngblood, however, says the mchine is in for a rude awakening.

“I feel confident,” she told InsiderNJ.

She raised just south of $100K for her campaign effort and heads toward the finish line with $3K cash on hand.

But it’s not about that, she said.

“I feel the women are going to come out today and we’re going to see a big progressive surge,” Youngblood said. “I’ve done all I could do. This wasn’t about having a lot of money.”

It was about a progressive narrative that sharply contrasted with that of Van Drew, she said.

“I’m a Blue Star mom and an educator,” Youngblood said. “I was the first one in this race, and I believe people will help me in this community.”

She was able to zero in on Van Drew on guns.

The senator is pro-NRA.

She’s for more gun control.

It’s a key difference, she said.

“What has happened is single-issue voters, people who wouldn’t ordinarily vote, who are horrified by gun violence in this country, they are coming out,” she said.

It goes beyond gun safety.

Youngblood made Van Drew answer for his vote in favor of Governor Chris Christie’s overhaul of public pensions and benefits.

“I am the only union person in this race,” said the candidate. “I was a teacher for 35 years, and I live off pension. Christie’s Republican agenda was not a Democratic agenda, which is why I stayed in the race. I stayed in it so people could have a voice, because Jeff Van Drew is the wrong kind of Democrat.”