New Jersey’s electoral clash for the office of Governor– which is being contested between Democratic candidate Phil Murphy and Republican opponent Jack Ciattarelli– seems to be locked in a stalemate so far. The competition is so close a challenge is expected to be put forward by the losing candidate, according to US media reports.

While most media reports have not called the election for either side so far, Murphy — a member of the Democratic party– secured a lead of less than a percentage of a point and officials continued to count ballots, according to reports from Associated Press.

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The news comes hours after another gubernatorial race concluded in the state of Virginia, where Republican nominee Glenn Youngkin dominated the polls and defeated Democratic opponent Democrat Terry McAuliffe. 

The closeness of the race has surprised experts, who watched public polls showing Murphy leading comfortably and looked to his party’s registration advantage of more than a million voters.

Director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling Ashley Koning said in a statement, “If you asked anybody several months ago within the state, I think anyone would have predicted a high double digit landslide for Murphy”, according to reports from Associated Press.

New Jersey does not have an automatic recount law, but the candidates are permitted to request one. The party that wants a recount has to file a suit in State Superior Court in the counties where they want to contest tallies. According to reports from Associated Press, that has to be done within 17 days of Election Day.

Phil Murphy’s campaign centered on the progressive agenda he shepherded through the Democrat-led legislative houses in his first term and delivered on vows like hiking the minimum wage, taxing millionaires and legalising recreational marijuana, among others.  

(With AP inputs)