MONTCLAIR - On Monday evening in this very progressive town, gubernatorial candidate Steve Fulop had a supportive audience.

But when it came time for questions, one man got right to the point.

It looks like Republicans are gaining ground in New Jersey, especially with young people, he said. How do you combat that?

This observation is not unique. After Donald Trump's strong showing in the state last year - losing by about 6 points - Republicans are happily predicting that New Jersey is now a "swing state."

As for the young, Fulop reminded about 150 people gathered in the local Women's Club that he was just endorsed by the College Democrats.

That's nice, but the point of the question was if the Dems, more generally, are losing ground.

Fulop doesn't buy that and he used some history to make his point.

Most relevantly, he pointed to 2021 when Phil Murphy won reelection over Jack Ciattarelli by a mere 3 points.

Fulop's diagnosis suggested that one of the problems was Murphy himself, or at least his persona.

He said a lot of people may like what the governor is doing, but ...

"I never met somebody who is a die-hard Phil Murphy person."  The crowd laughed.

And then, Fulop added:

"Nobody ... bleeds for Phil Murphy." More laughs.

The point was that Murphy didn't do better in 2021, because he lacks charisma and fails to excite people.

With that in mind, Fulop theorized that Ciattarelli's showing represented a "ceiling" and not a "floor."

As for 2024, Fulop pointed to the Middle East, saying that the Democrats were "nowhere" on the issue of Gaza.

He said people stayed home or voted for Trump, which was the case in Passaic County, which has a large Muslim population. Trump, surprisingly, won the county.

The conditions of 2021 and 2024 will not be repeated this year, Fulop optimistically said.

The candidate and current Jersey City mayor stressed the detailed positions he has taken on such issues as transportation, education, housing and others. Just read his website.

Fulop has never been an establishment figure, which is something of which he is proud. His first try for elected office years ago was running in the primary against then Rep Bob Menendez.

He also seems happy to take controversial positions.

Immigration may be a tough issue for Democrats, but Fulop just put up an ad stressing his immigrant roots. In it, he says:

"My parents came from Romania after World War two. My grandmother survived Auschwitz. Most of the family didn’t make it. Jaclyn and I think it’s so important for our kids to know why we’re Americans. And as governor, I’ll make sure state government doesn’t forget either.

Everyone in New Jersey just wants a fair shot.”

On Monday, Fulop talked about the work he's done in Jersey City to help immigrants thrive and to become U.S. citizens.

Fulop also backs congestion pricing in New York City on environmental grounds, which many statewide political leaders oppose.

We have not yet reached the time in the campaign for attacks on opponents; of which Fulop has five.

But he did point out that seniority in Congress is important and that perhaps it would be better for two of his opponents, Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer, to stay where they are - in the House.

One imagines we will hear more about this from Fulop as the campaign unfolds.