A new Rutgers-Eagleton poll shows that a significant share of New Jersey voters support President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, underscoring its continued influence in a traditionally Democratic-leaning state.
The survey, conducted July 31 to August 11, found that 36% of likely voters in this November’s gubernatorial election say they back the MAGA movement, including 21% who “strongly support” it. Another 13% said they neither support nor oppose the movement, leaving just over half of respondents — 51% — opposed.
Support for MAGA remains strongest among Republicans, with 87% expressing approval, while 90% of Democrats disapprove. Independents are split more evenly, with 30% in favor and 46% opposed. The poll also found stronger backing among men, white voters, and older voters compared to women, nonwhite voters, and younger voters.
“Even about a quarter of independents express some level of support for the movement, a critical group for Republican Jack Ciattarelli if he hopes to cross the finish line in November,” said Ashley Koning, director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling, in the statement accompanying the release.
The MAGA question was included as part of a broader Rutgers-Eagleton survey that also measured the gubernatorial race between Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) and Ciattarelli. Sherrill led that contest 44% to 35%, according to results released last week.
When broken down by views on MAGA, candidate preference closely tracked: voters who support the movement overwhelmingly backed Ciattarelli (81% to 2%), while those who oppose it favored Sherrill (82% to 1%). Among the 13% who said they were neutral, Ciattarelli led 40% to 12%.
