January 1, Sherrill Jumps Ahead in New Jersey Governor Poll

Wyatt’s Take

• Democrat Mikie Sherrill leads Jack Ciattarelli by six points.
• Affordability and taxes top voter worries in New Jersey.
• Majority see GOP as too focused on Trump, according to poll.

Democrat Mikie Sherrill is leading Republican Jack Ciattarelli by six points in the race to be New Jersey’s next governor, with three months to go. A new poll gives Sherrill 48% support and Ciattarelli 42%.

Only about a third of those polled are certain which way they’ll vote, so there is room for opinions to change.

The poll also says 1% plan to vote third party, and 9% are still undecided.

When asked what matters most, 53% of New Jersey voters picked affordability, and 43% said taxes.

Among those worried about affordability, voters were split on which candidate would actually help: 36% picked Sherrill, and 34% picked Ciattarelli.

Ciattarelli was the strong favorite for lowering taxes, with half of those asked saying he’s their pick.

Sherrill leads on economic opportunity, with 54% seeing her as able to help families, compared with 49% for Ciattarelli.

Social Security and Medicare are still a big worry, with 30% calling it a piece of the state’s growing affordability crisis.

Only 36% back Trump’s latest bill, while 51% say it would hurt New Jersey families. “Stand up to Trump” was a top issue for 27% of folks polled.

Presidential approval ratings for Trump and Governor Murphy are nearly the same, at 44% and 45%.

Blame for state troubles is divided: 37% say Trenton leadership, 27% finger Washington, and 34% blame both.

“The Murphy and Trump numbers are basically a wash. That suggests voters are looking for someone they can trust to address their economic worries, and not someone who just takes swings at the leadership of the opposite party,” Patrick Murray, of StimSight Research, said in a statement.

Most respondents see today’s GOP as too focused on Trump, with 54% strongly agreeing and another 12% somewhat agreeing.

Mikie Sherrill is a sitting congresswoman, Navy veteran, and former federal prosecutor. She defeated several rivals in the primary earlier this year.

Jack Ciattarelli, backed by Trump, won the GOP nomination after a tough primary. He previously ran for governor in 2021.

Read more at Fox News

Wyatt Matters

These poll numbers show New Jersey voters are worried most about paying the bills and taxes. Candidates will need to prove they care more about working families’ wallets than party bickering if they want to win trust in tough times.