With just one month remaining before the gubernatorial election, a new survey from Stockton University indicates widespread economic discontent among New Jersey residents. The poll, which gathered responses from 705 voting-age individuals, found that around two-thirds express dissatisfaction with current economic conditions, highlighting financial concerns as a dominant theme in the final stretch of the campaign. n nApproximately 67% of participants reported being at least somewhat dissatisfied with the economy, including 44% who described themselves as “very dissatisfied.” Only 20% said their household financial situation had improved over the past year, while 39% indicated it had worsened and another 39% saw no change. n nTaxation emerged as the top policy concern, with 25% identifying it as the most critical issue candidates should address. The cost of living followed at 12%, and the broader economy ranked at 9%. These findings underscore how economic pressures are shaping voter priorities, even amid intense political messaging surrounding national figures like President Donald Trump. n nDuring their first debate, Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill and Republican contender Jack Ciattarelli offered contrasting narratives on rising expenses. Sherrill pointed to federal policies under Trump and tariff-related measures, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, as contributing factors. Ciattarelli, in contrast, criticized the Democratic leadership in New Jersey for maintaining what he described as excessive tax burdens after eight years in power. n nRegarding overall national direction, about 58% of respondents believe the country is moving in the “wrong direction.” However, this sentiment is largely divided along party lines. According to the pollsters, last year under President Joe Biden, Republican dissatisfaction drove similar results, with 91% saying the nation was off track. This year, under President Trump, 89% of Democrats share that view. n nApproval ratings for key political figures show Gov. Phil Murphy evenly split, with 42% approving and 42% disapproving. President Trump has lower favorability, with 38% approval and 56% disapproval. Among the gubernatorial candidates, Sherrill holds a slight edge in name recognition and perception: 34% view her favorably compared to 35% unfavorable, while Ciattarelli stands at 32% favorable and 38% unfavorable, with 24% unfamiliar with him. n nAdditional survey insights reveal growing skepticism toward emerging technologies and federal institutions. Forty-two percent of respondents believe artificial intelligence will negatively affect their lives—a notable increase from 36% in a similar poll conducted in March 2024. Confidence in federal public health guidance is also low: 22% said they were “not too confident” and 43% reported being “not at all confident” in the government’s ability to deliver accurate health information. n nEarly voting is already underway in New Jersey, with Election Day set for November 4, 2025. n
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Two-thirds of N.J. residents polled “dissatisfied” with the economy as governor ‘s race enters final month
With one month to go until Election Day, New Jersey residents in a recent poll say taxation is their biggest issue, they ‘re overall dissatisfied with the economy, and most believe the country is headed in the “wrong direction.” n nThe poll released by Stockton University on Friday collected responses from 705 voting-age residents of the Garden State on Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill, Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli, incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy and President Trump. n nRespondents also expressed their views about artificial intelligence, political violence and public health, among other issues. n nFew “satisfied” with economy ahead of Election Day in N.J. governor ‘s race n nRoughly 67% of those surveyed were at least somewhat dissatisfied with the current state of the economy, the results show, with 44% stating they were “very dissatisfied” with economic conditions. Only 20% rated their and their family ‘s financial situation as “better” than the year before, with about 39% saying they were worse off, and another 39% about the same as last year. n nWhile there has been plenty of campaign messaging about Trump in this election, the economy has been a main feature. In their first debate, Ciattarelli and Sherrill presented different explanations to voters about who is responsible for rising costs in the state. n nSherrill blamed Trump and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, as well as tariffs, while Ciattarelli hit Democrats, who have held power in the Garden State for eight years, over what he called high taxes. n nMost voters, about 58%, said the country was heading in the “wrong direction” in the poll — but there ‘s a partisan dimension to that statement, Stockton pollsters said in a news release. n n”Last fall under former President Joe Biden, it was Republican discontent driving the findings with 91% saying the country was headed in the wrong direction,” they said. “And this year with President Donald Trump at the helm about the same rate (89%) of Democrats say the country is off course.” n nOn the issues, 25% of those polled said taxes were the most important for the candidates to address, with “affordability or cost of living” getting 12% and the more general “economy” getting 9%. n nVoters ‘ views of Sherrill, Ciattarelli, Murphy, Trump n nVoters approved of Gov. Phil Murphy more than President Trump and had a slightly more unfavorable outlook toward Ciattarelli than toward Sherrill. n nGov. Phil Murphy n n42% approve; 42% disapprove n nPresident Trump n n38% approve; 56% disapprove n nRepublican candidate Jack Ciattarelli n n32% favorable; 38% unfavorable; 24% unfamiliar n nDemocratic candidate Mikie Sherrill n n34% favorable; 35% unfavorable; 25% unfamiliar n nAI and other issues n nOn artificial intelligence, 42% of those polled said it would make their life worse. Stockton pollsters say voters are souring on AI a bit, with only 36% in a March 2024 poll saying AI would worsen their lives. n nNearly two-thirds of respondents were not favorable toward federal public health messaging, as well. About 22% said they were “not too confident” and 43% said they were “not at all confident” when asked how confident they felt in the federal government to provide accurate public health guidance. n nEarly voting has already begun in New Jersey, and Election Day is Nov. 4, 2025.