A huge lead among women propels Democrat Phil Murphy to a 57 - 37 percent lead over Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno among likely voters in the race for New Jersey governor, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
This compares to a 58 - 33 percent Murphy lead over Guadagno, in a September 13 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.
In today's result, women back the Democrat 65 - 29 percent while men are divided with 49 percent for Murphy and 45 percent for Guadagno.
Murphy leads 92 - 4 percent among Democrats and 52 - 39 percent among independent voters. Republicans go to Guadagno 89 - 8 percent.
With 13 days until the election, 83 percent of likely voters who name a candidate say their mind is made up, while 14 percent say they might change their mind.
Murphy gets a 44 - 34 percent favorability rating among likely voters, compared to Guadagno's negative 33 - 41 percent favorability.
Taxes are the most important issue in deciding how they will vote in the governor's race, 36 percent of likely voters say, while 14 percent list the economy. Another 11 percent cite health care and 9 percent say education.
"Lt. Gov. Guadagno could not be in a worse situation. Phil Murphy leads her among most voter groups and the state's electorate gives her an unfavorable rating overall," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.
"What's more, politics is a team game. Guadagno's GOP teammates - President Donald Trump, with a 33 percent job approval rating, and Gov. Christopher Christie, with his 15 percent approval rating - are clearly pulling her down."
"The way Republicans occasionally win in blue states such as New Jersey is by attracting some soft Democrats and dominating among independent voters. But only 4 percent of Democrats say they will vote for Guadagno, compared to 8 percent of Republicans backing Murphy. And his double-digit lead among independent voters makes it difficult to find a realistic path to a Guadagno victory."
Guadagno's role as lieutenant governor to Gov. Christopher Christie is heavier baggage than Murphy's work at Goldman Sachs, New Jersey likely voters say.
For 51 percent of these voters, Guadagno's role as lieutenant governor to Gov. Christopher Christie has a negative impact on their opinion of her. Another 10 percent say it has a positive impact and 37 percent say it doesn't matter.
Murphy's 23 years at Goldman Sachs creates a negative impact on the opinion of 30 percent of likely voters. For 6 percent, it has a positive impact and 61 percent say it doesn't matter.