I loved, loved, loved when I saw this. NJ and CT are actually extremely similar states.
-largely suburban
-a couple medium-sized, albeit run-down, cities
-populations that identify more with two cities from other states (NJ: New York and Philadelphia, CT: New York and Boston)
-pretty diverse populations (Non-Hispanic whites: 77% in CT, 69% in NJ)
-some very wealthy shore areas (Gold Coast in CT, Ocean County in NJ)
CT probably always had the edge on us when it came to vote share for the more liberal of the two parties for a couple of reasons.
1. NJ has SOME rural-ish areas. CT really doesn't have any.
2. CT is just a bit more "northern", geographically and culturally.
3. CT doesn't really have anything like Northwest Jersey.
From now on, though, the states will probably vote very similarly. NJ has a bit more of a diverse population to offset the Confederate sympathizers and NASCAR dads in the Pine Barrens and scattered around other parts of South Jersey. Connecticut is a pretty static state. New Jersey is losing white population to those emigrating south for warmer weather, and the fact that immigrants still tend to come to Jersey because, in all honestly, you CAN find a job here.
The only thing I'd dispute here is to point out that there are sort of rural parts of eastern and northwestern Connecticut.
So, nothing like the Pine Barrens, but the Litchfield Hills and some areas east, roughly speaking, of Willimantic are present and accounted for. New Jersey also has a higher overall population density--1,205 people per square mile to Connecticut's 741.
