The race between incumbent Democratic Governor Phil Murphy and Republican Jack Ciattarelli is closer than would be expected and Ciattarelli has room to run, according to a new poll from Stockton University.
According to the poll, conducted before the candidate’s first debate held Tuesday, found Murphy leading Ciattatelli 50% to 41%. That makes the race not quite too close to call, but is a red flag for Murphy’s reelection effort – having just 50% support as a Democratic incumbent in a deep-blue state is not a place the sitting governor wants to be.
The biggest issue facing New Jersey according to the survey’s respondents is the Covid-19 pandemic, and respondents think Murphy can better manage the pandemic than Ciattarelli, 50%-34%.
After the pandemic, the top issues on voter’s minds are taxes in general, property taxes, and the economy.
Voters think Ciattarelli would be better on tax policy than Murphy, and the two tie on who would handle the state’s economy better.
A positive for Ciattarelli is that nearly half of voters said they don’t know enough about him, meaning that if he can go about educating voters on his positions, he has a solid chance of gaining more support as the election nears.
The poll also found that 58% support mask mandates in school with 37% opposed; 56% support President Biden’s mandate that businesses with 100+ employees must require workers to receive a Covid-19 vaccine or be subjected to weekly testing, 44% disagree; 63% support a vaccine mandate for healthcare workers and 34% are opposed to such a mandate; and just 46% support requiring proof of vaccination to enter restaurants, public events, or entertainment venues, while 50% oppose it.
Additionally, the survey found that more New Jerseyans (45.5%) think the state is heading in the wrong direction than those who think New Jersey is heading in the right direction (44.3%).
Amen to that!
I personally hope Murphy wins – he has been a great friend to the yidden, even if we don’t agree with all of his policy’s. I will be voting for him.
shoteh!!
eizah hu chochom? haroeh es hanolad
1. The chances are still that Murphy will win. He will remember who his friends are when he is back in the Governor’s office.
2. This time is critical in our history. A landmark infrastructure bill is about to be signed, and when that happens, states will be looking to spend that money. This is our only realistic opportunity to have the 9 widened. There is no other way to get that money. This is our own benefit, this will mean that we have more time to learn, to spend with our children or to earn money. Should we squander this opportunity because we have some kind of ideological issue with a party? Let us not be foolish.
3. Murphy can help us in another ways, and the chances are still that he will win. But if the other guy is in striking distance and Lakewood produces enough votes to make a difference, our position will be even stronger.
Basically, leave your kano’us for the internet and the coffee room. When we need practical results, vote for whatever is practical for us. We all have personal gain from it.
I will definitely vote for Mr. Murphy. He has done a lot for our community, especially during Covid (behind the scenes).