New Jersey’s gubernatorial race is still too close to call as you wake
up this morning. With 88% of the expected vote in, incumbent Phil Murphy
is trailing Republican Jack Ciattarelli by just over 1,000 votes. 

President Joe returned from Europe overnight to a Washington where
politics has been completely upended since he left six days ago. 

Before he departed, Biden told House Democrats, “I don’t think it’s
hyperbole to say that the House and Senate majorities and my presidency
will be determined by what happens in the next week.” He meant inaction
on his two legislative priorities, leaving Europe with no congressional
backing for his climate proposals, and potential defeats in one or more
crucial elections Tuesday that would make everything worse. Biden may
have been prescient.

Raghu Manavalan is the host of POLITICO's Playbook.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer for POLITICO Audio. 
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO Audio.