Another independent poll puts Sherrill, Ciattarelli in a close race

A second poll today — this time from Suffolk University — shows the race for Governor of New Jersey is too close to call, with Democrat Mikie Sherrill leading Republican Jack Ciattarelli from within the margin of error, 46%-42%.

Among independents – in New Jersey, they’re mostly unaffiliated voters – Ciattarelli leads 42%-39%.  Ciattarelli is getting 97% of Republicans, and Sherrill receives 85% of Democrats.

Socialist Workers Party candidate Joanne Kuniansky and Libertarian nominee Vic Kaplan are each polling at 1%.

And in Bergen County, the state’s most populous county, Sherrill and Ciattarelli are statistically tied: Sherrill is at 42% and Ciattarelli at 42%.

The statewide poll indicates that 36% of Sherrill’s supporters cite her opposition to President Donald Trump as the primary reason for their vote, while 22% say it’s because they are pro-Sherrill; just 9% say they’re voting for Sherrill because they dislike Ciattarelli.

One-third of Ciattarelli voters say are against the Democratic leadership, 16% are because he’s pro-Trump, 28% because they are pro-Ciattarelli, and just 8% say their decision is based on their dislike of Sherrill.

Both candidates are underwater: Sherrill’s favorables are 38%-42%; Ciattarelli is at 38%-42%.  In Bergen County, Sherrill has favorables of 46%-41%; Ciattarelli is at 40%-43%.

In New Jersey, Trump’s approval ratings are upside-down at 39%-52%; Gov. Phil Murphy has approval ratings of 39%-46%.   In Bergen County, Trump is at 40%-50% and Murphy at 46%-38%.

An Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill poll released this morning also shows a dead heat, with Sherrill ahead, 49%-48% among likely voters.  Quinnipiac University will release a poll this afternoon.

The Suffolk University poll was conducted between October 26-29 with a sample size of 500 likely voters and a margin of error of +/- 4.4%.  The Bergen County portion of the survey used a tight screen of 300 voters who confirmed their residency and likelihood of voting, and has a margin of error of +/-5.65%.  The ballot test question includes leaners. Click HERE for crosstabs.