A look at the seven Democrats who are running for governor or considering a run.
TRENTON -- Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop may have taken himself out of the running for the 2017 governor's race, but Democrats are likely to still have a choice of candidates competing in the primary election next year.
In an announcement that stunned even his supporters in north Jersey, Fulop endorsed Phil Murphy, the former banking executive and U.S. ambassador to Germany who is the only 2017 hopeful to officially declare his candidacy.
Fulop won't run for governor, a 'game-changer' for 2017 race
Political pundits say Democrats have the advantage in the general alection next year after eight years of Republican Gov. Chris Christie, whose recent poll numbers are the lowest of his career.
In alphabetical order, here's a look at the Democrats who are running for governor or are considering their options:
TOM BYRNE
Head of the New Jersey State Investment Council
What he has going for him: Byrne is the son of former Gov. Brendan Byrne, so he has the pedigree. And he's the former state Democratic chairman, so he has the connections.
What's working against him: Even though he has a famous last name, he has little name recognition.
Who's aligned with him: It's unclear yet, though his former chairmanship may draw him some allies in the party.
JOSEPH DiVINCENZO
Essex County Executive
What he has going for him: He's one of north Jersey's top power brokers.
What's working against him: He has little name recognition outside of Essex County and he's allied with Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican with low poll numbers.
Who's aligned with him: Possibly Christie? DiVincenzo also has plenty of north Jersey allies.
RAYMOND LESNIAK
State senator, Union County
What he has going for him: Lesniak is one of New Jersey's longest-serving lawmakers, start his stint in Trenton in 1982.
"What do I have going for me? A 100,000 strong army of voters cultivated through my support of key issues important to them," Lesniak said, describing supporters that communicate with him on email and social media.
What's working against him: He still doesn't have major name recognition. And the key north Jersey power brokers are likely to align with other candidates, like Phil Murphy.
Lesniak tweeted Wednesday:
#Fulop endorsing Murphy today doesn't effect my plans one iota Indeed make me even more determined to fight for what's right pic.twitter.com/U8HaC3CHUT
-- Senator Ray Lesniak (@SenatorLesniak) September 28, 2016
Who's aligned with him: Unknown.
PHIL MURPHY
Former Goldman Sachs executive
What he has going for him: Money, having already lent his campaign $10 million. He also served in President Obama's administration as U.S. ambassador to Germany. And he has been making inroads with north Jersey power brokers, earning key endorsements in Bergen County -- moves that may have helped push Fulop out.
"In addition to the recently announced endorsements in Bergen, Murphy has been able to pull some pretty hefty party leaders into his camp who have been acting as very effective surrogates," Murray of Monmouth University said.
What's working against him: He is not as well-known as his key rival, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney. And some voters may be leery considering the last gubernatorial with ties to Goldman Sachs was Gov. Jon Corzine, who left office with low approval ratings.
Who's aligned with him: North Jersey power brokers and now Fulop, who endorsed him Wednesday. It'll now be interesting to see if Fulop supporters, like Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, will now follow him.
STEPHEN SWEENEY
State Senate president, Gloucester County
What he has going for him: Sweeney is the top lawmaker in the upper house of the Legislature. He scored a key legislative victory on pension reform in 2011. He has the most name recognition. And as the leader of an iron workers' union, he has labor support.
What's working against him: He doesn't have Murphy's money and he's from south Jersey, a part of the state that doesn't carry as much political weight as the north. Plus, he's been battling lately with the New Jersey Education Association, the powerful state teachers union. Fulop dropping out may have hurt his chances because there's one less north Jersey candidate to split the vote. And the pension reforms left many state employees resentful.
"Sweeney owns south Jersey and just needs to pick up parts of the north," said Matthew Hale, a political science professor at Seton Hall University. "That is more difficult if Murphy becomes the new darling of the north."
Who's aligned with him: Sweeney is very close to George Norcross III, south Jersey's power broker. He also has been an occasional ally of Christie, but that could work against him considering Christie's low approval rating.
SHAVONDA SUMTER
State assemblywoman, Essex County
What he has going for her: Sumter, a member of the state Assembly since 2012, would be the only woman and the only minority in the race.
What's working against her: Name recognition and the fact that she doesn't have as much experience of the other candidates.
Who's aligned with her: Sumter has ties to DiVincenzo and is the goddaughter of state Democratic chairman John Currie.
JOHN WISNIEWSKI
State assemblyman, Middlesex County
What he has going for him: Wisniewski has been a member of the state Assembly since 1996 and was the co-chair of the legislative committee investigating the George Washington Bridge scandal.
"I'm considering a run and talking with supporters, and looking at lining up the financial support as well as the professional and technical support," he said Wednesday.
What's working against him: He's not as well known as Sweeney or even Lesniak. And he hails from Middlesex County, which is not as powerful as more northern areas of the state.
Who's aligned with him: Unknown.
Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.
Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook