With more than 10 contenders running to become New Jersey’s next governor, a new poll shows former lawmaker Jack Ciattarelli as the early front-runner on the Republican side and U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill carrying a slim lead in a very close Democratic battle less than six months to the big primary election.

Candidates across the board for New Jersey governor are struggling with name recognition, leaving an open — and crowded — playing field nearly five months before the primary election, new poll numbers suggest.