The Other Statewide Race
(for New Jersey's Senate Seat) 

see also:
Tabular Results
Survey Details
Republican Response
Democratic Response

Bob Menendez leads a field of five house members in name recognition but “don't know” leads the shadow race for Jon Corzine's Senate seat were he to win the statehouse in November.   According to the most recent results from Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind poll, a little more than a third (38%) of likely voters say they have heard of Menendez and about half of those (49%) have a favorable view of him against just 15% who have an unfavorable view.  Frank Pallone garners 32% in name recognition; Rob Andrews gets 27%.

When likely voters are asked who they would prefer be appointed to that seat, 39% respond they don't know, another 4% say any of them would do, and 5% say none of them would do. But in a crowded and largely unknown field, Menendez is preferred by 16% and Andrews by 14%.

“The senate race for an appointment is inside baseball at this point,” said Peter Woolley, executive director of the poll and a professor of political science at Fairleigh Dickinson University. “Nonetheless, it's an interesting question for citizens, not just political junkies.”

“The Senate appointment will be an important question for the state if Jon Corzine wins the governor's race,” said Woolley. “An appointment to the Senate will redefine New Jersey's representation in Washington. The appointment to the Senate will also create a new incumbent for the Democrats and give them an edge in the next general election for that seat.”

Acting Governor Codey was not included in the list of five names read to respondents, but 3% of likely voters put forward his name anyway.  PublicMind reported on July 21 that Codey was recognized by 85% of likely voters and 60% had a favorable view of him against just 26% with an unfavorable view.

While Rob Andrews has only 27% name recognition statewide, he achieves 65% recognition across five South Jersey counties including Cape May, Atlantic, Cumberland, Camden, and Salem, and better than a 4:1 favorable to unfavorable ratio. “If Corzine continues to lead in the governor's race, a side-effect will be to put these House members into the statewide spotlight,” added Woolley.

The PublicMind poll of 600 registered, likely voters statewide was conducted from July 12 to July 19 and has a margin of error of +/- 4 percentage points.

 

 


Poll Analysis

Contacts:

Bruce Larson 973.769.1401

Peter Woolley 973.670.3239

Radio actuality line: (201) 692-2846.

For more information, please call (201) 692-7032.

Copyright © 2005, Fairleigh Dickinson University. All rights reserved. FDU PublicMind Poll [Latest update 050725]