New Jersey: Post-Trial Poll

Sen. Bob Menendez (D), previously on trial for bribery until the Government’s case fell apart forcing them to end proceedings, appears in relatively strong pre-election position according to a new Monmouth University survey (4/6-10; 703 NJ adults; 632 NJ registered voters; weighted).  According to the results, Sen. Menendez would lead former pharmaceutical CEO Bob Hugin (R), 53-32% including leaners to both candidates. 
 
While the ballot test margin appears solid, spots of weakness do appear.  The Senator’s job approval index is only 37:38% positive to negative among registered voters, and his personal favorability is an upside down 28:35%.  Among white voters, his advantage is only 45-44% versus 66-14% among minority voters.  In addition to minorities, his strongest groups are Democrats (92-4%), women (60-24%), and northern New Jersey voters (59-27%).  His margin drops to 46-41% among men, 41-33% with Independents, and 48-40% among central New Jersey voters. 

--Jim Ellis