OLDWICK - Vin Gopal joked that he drove about three hours from his Monmouth County home to reach this Hunterdon County hamlet.

When he arrived, he offered inspiration and optimism.

Recalling that he lost his first legislative race by a landslide, Gopal said:

"You have to build something. It may take a few times."

Those had to be comforting words for Guy Citron and Tyler Powell, who ran unsuccessfully for the state Assembly two years ago in LD-23. This year they are trying again and Gopal was the star attraction at a Monday evening fundraiser.

The 23rd District ranges over at least parts of Hunterson, Somerset  and Warren counties. This is Republican terrain. The incumbents are John DiMaio, the Assembly Minority Leader, and Erik Peterson.

Every candidate starts an election with hope, and the hope this evening, was at the top of the ticket.

Gopal said Mikie Sherrill promises to be a great candidate for governor, one who will attract voters who are not necessarily Democrats. Sherrill's 11th congressional district is just to the east of where Monday's gathering took place.

"I think Morris County will be in play. A lot of counties will be in play," said Gopal, who represents LD-11 in the state Senate.

Gopal was speaking to the converted, but said Sherrill is an office holder who does not fear bucking her own party. He noted that she never supported Nancy Pelosi for Speaker and that she was one of the first congressional Democrats to say Joe Biden should not run for re-election.

He contrasted that stance to that of many Republicans, who, he said, are afraid to criticize Donald Trump.

When Powell spoke, he was looking ahead to his Assembly race this fall, but also the midterms and CD-7.

"If we flip LD-23, we can flip CD-7," Powell said.

CD-7, where Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. resides, is the most competitive district in the state.

It's early, but a growing roster of Democrats are talking about challenging Kean. Two of them, Greg Vartan and Brian Varela, attended the event.

Citron said his belief is that lawmakers must be accountable to the people they serve.

"You get Guy Citron (in Trenton) and I'm your guy," he said.

When Powell and Citron ran in 2023, they lost by about 9,000 votes.

That same night, Gopal, who lost his first election in a landslide, won his Senate seat by about 12,000.

Things can turn around.