With just a month to go before Election Day, a new Stockton University poll shows that most New Jersey residents are unhappy with the state of the economy and concerned about the direction of the country. The survey found that roughly two-thirds of respondents described themselves as “dissatisfied” with current economic conditions, highlighting the economy as a central issue in the final stretch of the governor’s race.
The poll gathered responses from 705 voting-age residents across the state, asking about their views on the economy, key political candidates, and national issues. Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill and Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli are both vying for the governorship, with economic management emerging as the main focus of voter attention.
According to the poll, 67% of respondents said they were at least somewhat dissatisfied with the economy, while 44%said they were “very dissatisfied.” Only about 20% felt their household financial situation had improved over the past year, while nearly 39% said they were worse off. Another 39% said their situation had not changed.
The data also show that voters are deeply divided along party lines about who is responsible for rising costs. During their first debate, Sherrill attributed economic challenges to policies passed under former President Donald Trump, such as tariffs and federal spending packages. Ciattarelli, meanwhile, blamed Democratic leadership at both the state and national levels, accusing them of overtaxing residents and driving up living costs.
Taxes continue to dominate as the top issue for voters. About 25% of those surveyed said taxation was the most important matter for the candidates to address, followed by 12% who cited affordability or cost of living, and 9% who named the broader economy.
The poll also captured voter sentiment about the country’s overall trajectory. A majority – about 58% – said the United States was heading in the “wrong direction.” Pollsters noted that dissatisfaction shifts with changes in party control. Under President Joe Biden, the strongest disapproval came from Republicans, while under President Trump, Democrats now express similar levels of discontent.
In terms of candidate approval, voters were evenly split on Gov. Phil Murphy, with 42% approving and 42%disapproving of his performance. President Trump received lower marks, with 38% approval and 56% disapproval. Among the gubernatorial candidates, Democrat Mikie Sherrill had a 34% favorable and 35% unfavorable rating, while Republican Jack Ciattarelli registered 32% favorable and 38% unfavorable. About one-quarter of respondents said they were unfamiliar with either candidate.
Beyond the economy, the Stockton poll explored other issues shaping voter sentiment. On artificial intelligence, 42% of respondents said AI would make their lives worse – an increase from 36% in a similar poll conducted in early 2024. The shift suggests growing unease about the role of emerging technologies in everyday life.
Public trust in federal public health messaging also remains low. About 65% of respondents said they lacked confidence in the federal government’s ability to provide accurate health guidance. Specifically, 43% said they were “not at all confident,” and 22% said they were “not too confident.”
The mixed outlook on technology, health, and economic issues underscores the challenges facing both campaigns as they seek to persuade voters ahead of the November election. Early voting has already begun in New Jersey, and Election Day is scheduled for November 4, 2025.
With economic frustration dominating the conversation, the final weeks of the race are expected to focus heavily on taxes, cost of living, and affordability – issues that appear to resonate most strongly with New Jersey residents heading into the polls.
