Democrats in Virginia and New Jersey have been hammering home a platform based on affordability messaging in the final campaign stretch.

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Democrat Abigail Spanberger is more eager to talk about struggling soybean farmers than President Donald Trump’s attack on American institutions. She plays down the historic nature of her campaign for Virginia governor and avoids making big, bold promises about what she will accomplish if elected.

The state has been greatly affected by the lapse in government funding. It’s the October surprise that could pack the biggest punch.

Other recent surveys show similarly tight margins: Suffolk puts Sherrill ahead by 4 points (46 percent to 42 percent), Quantus Insights gives her a 3-point advantage (49 percent to 46 percent), and co/efficient has the Democrat up by just a single point (48 percent to 47 percent).

The Federal Reserve cuts its key interest rate, as the government shutdown rages on with no end in sight. Oakland University Associate Professor of Management Michael Greiner discusses how both could impact Americans and the economy as a whole.

Analysts said the stronger-than-expected showing could reflect fear of renewed economic turmoil if the country abandoned Milei's policies.