WESTFIELD - Tina Shah says a "bio-poll" her campaign took a few months ago gave her a 15-percentage point lead.

This is in the four-person race to secure the Democratic nomination in CD-7.

Others in the race are Michael Roth, a veteran of the Small Business Administration, Brian Varela, an entrepreneur and Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot.

Military experience can go far in Democratic politics. Just look at Mikie Sherrill.

Shah is a physician who is triple board-certified in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine, and critical care medicine.

Are we to conclude from this poll that doctors are more popular than military pilots? That question, of course, is a bit tongue in cheek.

"I think this is apples and oranges," Shah said in a Monday chat in a local coffee shop.

As she goes door-to-door talking to voters, Shah said health care, or rather access to it and its costs, are the main concerns.

"If we keep spending like we're doing on health care, how the hell are we going to afford our rent, or our mortgage," she said, quickly adding education spending to the list.

This, says Shah, is in her wheelhouse.

She has worked in Washington as a senior advisor to the Surgeon General and at the VA, where she was the agency's first National Director of Clinician Wellbeing, She was in D.C. for three presidents - Obama, Trump and Biden.

Shah contends that experience gives her insight on, among other things, how to expand access and insurance coverage.

On, arguably, the biggest foreign policy issue of the day, Shah parted company with her rivals. At a recent debate before the Jewish caucus of the Morris County Democratic Committee, Shah was the only candidate of the four to back unconditional military aid to Israel.

She explained Monday that what's been happening in Gaza does not "sit well" with her. But long term, Shah said it is important for U.S. foreign policy to remain consistent and to help Israel defend itself.

Still, she came back to health care and the excesses of the Trump Administration as the things voters tell her they care the most about.

Shah spoke of general concerns about the future of American democracy and the specter of ICE in the street.

Like in all primaries, there is general agreement on most issues among the candidates.

Asked what separates her from the field, Shah said she's focusing on Tom Kean Jr.

"The contrast between Tom Kean Jr. and me is vast," she said, adding that her background makes her the Dems' best bet to flip the seat.

Shah, who has raised more than two million dollars, did not do well in the county conventions. The district includes at least parts of Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Warren and Union counties.

She sees that as good news more than bad.

"I'm not an organization candidate," she said.

There is some overall uncertainty here and it impacts not only the June 2 primary, but the fall election.

Just when is Kean going to be back in action?

The congressman is coping with an unspecified medical issue. The only word from the congressman was a statement two weeks ago in which Kean said he would return to Washington "very soon."