WASHINGTON -- Assemblyman Jay Webber, trying to keep an open House seat in Republican hands, has already gotten an endorsement from President Donald Trump and fundraising help from Vice President Mike Pence.
He'll get more even assistance from the Trump administration Monday as Pence hosts another fundraiser for both Webber, as well as for U.S. House GOP candidate in Pennsylvania.
Webber, R-Morris, is facing Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor for the 11th District seat being vacated by retiring Republican Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen.
Sherrill led Webber, 48 percent to 44 percent, among likely voters in a recent Monmouth University Poll, within the survey's 5-point margin of error. The Cook Political Report gives Sherrill an edge.
The fundraiser will be held behind closed doors at an undisclosed Washington location, according to the vice president's official schedule.
"We are proud to receive the continued support of Vice President Pence," Webber said. "We share a vision for America that entails more good paying American jobs and a country united behind a booming economy."
Through June 30, Webber had just $171,720 in the bank entering June while Sherrill had $2.9 million. The candidates are scheduled to release new campaign finance figures Monday.
The Pence-hosted event more closely connects Webber to Trump in a district where the president's approval rating is at 49 percent, with a 48 percent disapproval rating, in a recent Monmouth University poll.
More than one-quarter of likely voters, 28 percent, said Trump's backing made them less likely to support Webber, compared with 15 percent who said they would be more likely to vote for the Republican candidate. More than half, 56 percent, said Trump's endorsement via Twitter made no difference.
Webber also has embraced the Trump tax plan that disproportionately affected New Jersey by curbing the federal deduction for state and local taxes.
The legislation is unpopular in the district, with 46 percent disapproving of the law and 43 percent supporting it, according to the Monmouth poll.
The fundraiser will also be held for John Chrin, a banker challenging Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Pa.
Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.