New Jersey Democrats appear to have a favorite in the race to be the next governor.

A new, fairly Dickinson University poll finds Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is the most well-liked and well known candidate among the six Democrats vying for the spot, with Jersey City Mayor Steve Phillip and Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill not far behind.

The survey didn't ask respondents who they'd vote for specifically, but results show Baraka is pulling the best among the state's progressives.

While Sherrill has stronger support from the party's moderates, showing there are now distinct lines forming in this race, especially after Sherrill recently won endorsements at several county party conventions.

Poll director Dan Casino says the answers from prospective voters mean the race is shaping up differently than expected.

One of the candidates was expected to be really challenging for that centrist lean, Josh Gottheimer just isn't showing up.

We're not seeing high name recognition, high favorability among Gottheimer, and he was really thought to be the other person that would be challenging Sherrill for that position in the center of the party.

Guy wish people, I think, would tell you that he is going to be going up with advertising very soon.

He expects the name recognition up.

But we just haven't seen it yet.