Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli are tied at 44% each in a new poll conducted by Neighborhood Research and Media, highlighting a sharply divided electorate ahead of next year’s New Jersey gubernatorial election.
Pollster Rick Shaftan described the contest as “an ideological battle,” noting that Sherrill leads 86% to 8% among voters who identify as liberal — a group representing 26% of respondents. Ciattarelli, meanwhile, holds an 84% to 10% advantage among the 32% who describe themselves as conservative.
Among unaffiliated and independent voters, Ciattarelli leads 49% to 30%, while Sherrill has a 46% to 35% edge among the 40% of voters who consider themselves moderate.
Voter sentiment about the state’s direction appears to play a major role. Sherrill holds a 74% to 10% lead among respondents who believe New Jersey is on the right track, while Ciattarelli leads 69% to 21% among the 49% who say it is headed in the wrong direction.
The poll was conducted by Neighborhood Research and Media, operated by conservative consultant Rick Shaftan, who holds a B/C rating from FiveThirtyEight with no recorded partisan bias. Shaftan said the poll oversampled Democrats — 48% to 34% — compared to actual statewide registration figures of 38% Democratic and 25% Republican.
