Six New Jersey Democrats, including two sitting members of Congress, the mayors of the state’s two largest cities, the head of the biggest teachers union in the state and a former top lawmaker squared off Sunday in the first debate this year in the contest for governor.

Democratic candidates vying to become the Garden State’s next governor agree that costs must be lowered, immigrants must be protected and government must spend smarter.

With New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy's stint in office set to end next year, a crop of new candidates have begun laying out their succession plans. Six Democratic candidates vying to replace Murphy faced off in a debate Sunday night.