Gov. Phil Murphy leads Republican Jack Ciattarelli by a 52%-26% margin in a head-to-head matchup in a Rutgers-Eagleton Poll released on Election Day.
The 26-point lead is among registered voters, a sampling that is not as effective as likely voters but more accurate than New Jersey adults.
A total of 42% of New Jersey voters say they will definitely vote to re-elect Murphy, while 31% are committed to voting for someone else in the November gubernatorial election.
Among independent voters, 25% say they will definitely vote for Murphy and 34% indicated an attention to vote for someone else.
“New Jersey has seen some uncompetitive gubernatorial races the past couple of cycles, and this race does not seem to be the exception right now,” said Ashley Koning, an assistant research professor and director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling (ECPIP) at Rutgers University–New Brunswick. “Murphy currently has a stronger lock on his base than Ciattarelli and beats him among independents right now by a double-digit lead.”
The poll puts Murphy’s favorables at 49%-37% among registered voters, while the still mostly-unknown Ciattarelli is at 12%-11% statewide, with 50% of New Jersey voters not yet knowing who he is.
Ciattarelli is the front runner for the Republican nomination, a race that should be decided later this evening. He faces Hirsh Singh and Phil Rizzo, who have campaigned as strong allies of former President Donald Trump, and Brian D. Levine, a former Franklin mayor and Somerset County freeholder.
According to Rutgers-Eagleton, Murphy leads Ciattarelli by ten points among independents, 39%-26%. Murphy is at 83%-3% among Democrats, while Ciattarelli leads 67%-12% among Republicans.
P.S. It’s primary day in New Jersey. Received this e-mail today from Gov. Murphy’s re-election campaign:
Today is Election Day here in New Jersey! It’s crucial that you make your voice heard in this Democratic primary.
Polling locations and mail ballot drop boxes are open until 8 PM across the state. Have you made a plan to cast your ballot before 8 PM today?
Please head to our voter information center to find your polling location, locate a mail-in ballot drop box near you, or answer any questions about your plan to vote »
There is so much at stake in New Jersey this year.
We need to send a strong message today that our state is fired up to build on all the progress we have made over the last three-plus years and continue moving forward.
That’s why it’s crucial you cast your ballot for Gov. Murphy before 8 PM today!
Head to our voter information center for help finding your polling location or a ballot drop box near you.
If you have any questions or concerns while voting, please call our Voter Protection Hotline at 1-877-NJVOTES for help.
Thanks for all you do. Happy voting!
— Team Murphy
19
