Amid some mild freaking out in his party about Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy’s suburban voter messaging, veteran state Senator Bob Smith (D-17) said he doesn’t see it, and anticipates a solid Murphy win next month.

Central Jersey Smith’s district consists of about 80% suburbia, with just the New Brunswick portion giving it that urban edge.

“We just got back some polling, and he’s better than 2-1 in the 17th District,” Smith said. “I do have a Democratic leaner. Out of 40 districts, mine is the 12th most Democratic.”

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Barbara Buono won the 17th in 2013 – just barely.

But as a largely lackadaisical cycle inevitably sparks some spastic internal moments, with Murphy’s debate performance and the sanctuary state comment boomeranging as a consistent conversational topic, Smith said he believes Murphy is doing well.

“A couple of things have stood out to me about his message: economic development and the environment,” said the senator, who chairs the Senate Environment and Solid Waste Committee. “The state has been mismanaged and can do significantly better on the jobs front. Phil Murphy knows the [President Donald] Trump regime under EPA Director Scott Pruitt can create serious damage, and he will stand up to any of those efforts as governor. I think those are the two big resonating pieces to his message.

“I think it will be a solid win,” Smith added. “He’s everywhere, and he presents himself well. American politics is very difficult to gauge right now and in many ways you don’t know until Election Day, but I think he’s going to win.”