MENDHAM TWP – Democrats are almost giddy in anticipation of winning municipal races here and in neighboring Mendham Borough.

And on Sunday evening, First Lady Tammy Murphy added to their excitement with a personal visit.

“There is a whole new generation of people who have been compelled to this process,” she said at a reception in a home on Brookrace Drive.

The Mendhams long have been slam-dunk territory for Republicans, but no longer. The First Lady’s reference about a “new generation” aptly described the grassroots Democratic groundswell that popped up after the election of Donald Trump.

The question is whether the movement, which flipped congressional seats last year, can do the same in what figures to be a low turnout election.

Murphy was, of course, talking to the converted, but she still spoke about some of the achievements of her husband, including increased paid family leave and a higher minimum wage.

The Mendhams are part of the 25th District where Democrats Lisa Bhimani and Darcy Draeger are trying to score an upset in the Assembly race.

Bhimani spoke of the township as “ground zero” for that election.

That sounds like a lot of hyperbole, but maybe not.

If the Dems do well in the Mendhams, they probably win the race.