The USA TODAY Network New Jersey surveyed nine of the candidates on topics ranging from transit to taxes, affordability and the environment to give residents a frame of reference on where the potential nominees from each party stand.

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Transit and its train engineers were moving closer to a potential strike as early as next week, but both sides will first head to Washington to meet with a federal mediation board in hopes of averting a rail shutdown.