Cobb vs. Norcross in NJ 1st District

There's an Election Day showdown shaping up in New Jersey where a state lawmaker with a well-known name is going up against a man who's very familiar with battles.

Donald Norcross is the brother of a longtime political boss, Gary Cobb is a former Philadelphia Eagle.

New Jersey's First Congressional District consists of the major portion of Camden County, a large chunk of Gloucester County, and a tad of Burlington County.

Cobb is the republican nominee. He's running as a political reformer and outsider.

"I don't want to be a politician, I want to be a statesman from the standpoint that what is best for the people, not what is best for me," Cobb said.

The very name of the Democratic nominee epitomizes the political establishment. State lawmaker Donald Norcross, brother of political kingmaker George Norcross, is widely recognized as the boss of South Jersey politics.

Donald Norcross is running as a centrist-liberal Democrat.

"We're sick and tired of seeing what's going on in Washington. Call it the logjam, call it the fighting," Norcross said.

Based on legend, perception, and long established political reality, the Norcrosses are the ultimate power brokers in these parts, believed by many to have almost mystical powers to impose their political will.

Cobb says this explains his inability to build a significant campaign war chest; he says his potential donors are scared.

"They've told me they want to have to deal with the Norcrosses if they give to my campaign and show up on that ledger then they are going to have to deal with it in the future," Cobb said.

"I don't want to get into the mud, I haven't been about that. I'm moving forward making sure that the people I talk to on the street, their concerns," Norcross said.

Both contenders are promising to reach across the political divide in congress and push for jobs and economic development in the first district.