Murphy approvals continue to be high

Governor Phil Murphy has a 54%-34% approval rating among likely New Jersey voters, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released this afternoon.

The poll places Murphy as the most popular first-year governor since at least 1974, when public polls began keeping track of gubernatorial job approvals.  His popularity comes despite internal struggles with his fellow Democrats in the Legislature – a battle that appears to have not reached New Jersey voters.

His approvals among Independents is at 47%-40%.  He’s at 89%-5% among Democrats, and 73%-13% among Republicans.

“Taken with other recent polling, the results of today’s Quinnipiac survey show a clearly developing trend — that New Jersey voters approve of Governor Murphy’s agenda and his mission to make our state stronger and fairer,” said Brendan Gill, a top political advisor to the governor and his former campaign manager.  “Good government is good politics, and voters are reacting to the record of progressive policy achievements that the Governor has already recorded in a short time and the bold vision for New Jersey’s economic future that he will be making the case for in the coming months.”

A November 9, 2010 Quinnipiac poll had first-year Gov. Chris Christie with a 51%-38% approval rating.  Gov. Jon Corzine was at 45%-36% in a September 20, 2006 Quinnipiac poll, and Gov. James McGreevey was at 44%-43 in Quinnipiac’s October 7, 2002 poll.