RutgersEagleton Poll

Our Valentines Conversation Hearts are here, sharing a playful look at how we study public opinion in New Jersey.
From likely voters to representative samples, each heart highlights a piece of our work.
Love, ECPIP 💙📊

Make your vote count: How to read NJ-11’s unusual Democratic primary - Morristown Green By Kristen Neymarc No public polls. Eleven Democrats. A rushed calendar. Here’s how to make sense of a race that breaks almost every rule. On Feb. 5, 2026, Democratic […]

“A boost doesn’t end the game,” said Ashley Koning, director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling, noting that name recognition, endorsements, and fundraising can help candidates — but don’t lock in results in a small, fast-moving district. Read more morristowngreen.com/2026/01/23/m...

Make your vote count: How to read NJ-11’s unusual Democratic primary - Morristown Green By Kristen Neymarc No public polls. Eleven Democrats. A rushed calendar. Here’s how to make sense of a race that breaks almost every rule. On Feb. 5, 2026, Democratic […]

With no public polling and 11 Democrats on the ballot, the NJ‑11 special primary is unfolding in a low‑information environment where early advantages matter, but don’t guarantee outcomes. Morristown Green breaks down why this race defies the usual rules. Read more morristowngreen.com/2026/01/23/m...

Outside groups pour millions into NJ special election • New Jersey Monitor Outsie money groups have poured over $4.3 million into the race for Gov. Mikie Sherrill's old House seat, looking to influence its outcome.

“Any special election is going to be such a tiny portion of the voting public… But this is a seat that Democrats can’t afford to lose,” said Ashley Koning, director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling. She noted that high outside spending could have an outsized impact on the race.

Outside groups pour millions into NJ special election • New Jersey Monitor Outsie money groups have poured over $4.3 million into the race for Gov. Mikie Sherrill's old House seat, looking to influence its outcome.

According to New Jersey Monitor, outside groups have poured more than $4.3 million into the NJ‑11 special election, shaping the dynamics of a low‑turnout primary where just a small share of voters is expected to participate. Read more: newjerseymonitor.com/2026/02/04/o...

“Immigration is one of those few issues that the Democratic Party is unified on and can get behind,” said Ashley Koning, director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling, noting how easily the topic can be used as an attack in a competitive primary.

Immigration takes center stage in New Jersey special election Thursday's primary for NJ-11 occurs amid rising tensions over Immigration and Customs Enforcement's tactics across the country.

According to Politico, immigration has become a defining issue in the NJ‑11 special election, shaping campaign messaging as candidates respond to heightened public concern over ICE’s tactics. Read more: www.politico.com/news/2026/02...

Read more:
eagletonpoll.rutgers.edu/.../Rutgers-....

Half or more of New Jerseyans say their housing costs aren’t affordable (33% “not very,” 18% “not at all”) and that it is only getting more difficult to pay them (56%), according to a Rutgers-Eagleton Poll conducted in collaboration with the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey.

Clear front-runner among GOP candidates for governor, poll shows | Video | NJ Spotlight News Interview: Ashley Koning, director, Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling

"We still see very large numbers who either have no opinion when it comes to favorability of these candidates or don’t even know who they are. This isn’t necessarily out of the norm,” said Koning said.

Read more:
www.njspotlightnews.org/video/clear-...

ECPIP director Ashley Koning spoke with NJ Spotlight News about trends in the NJ gubernatorial election, highlighting the highly competitive race among Democratic candidates.

How 6 Democrats in a Consequential Governor’s Race Are Vying to Be Heard

“To have six Democrats, all who could pretty legitimately have a chance — that’s really rare,” said Kristoffer Shields, director of the Rutgers-Eagleton Center on the American Governor.

Read more:
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/n...

The 2025 NJ gubernatorial election is still up for grabs among Democrats, with six candidates vying for the office.

LATEST FROM RUTGERS-EAGLETON POLL

With about a month to go, New Jersey’s registered voters are largely unaware that a primary election for governor will take place on June 10, according to the latest Rutgers-Eagleton Poll.

Read more:
eagletonpoll.rutgers.edu/wp-content/u...

Poll Finds Majority of New Jerseyans Give Negative Ratings to State and National Economy

Read more:
www.rutgers.edu/news/poll-fi...

According to the latest Rutgers-Eagleton Poll, New Jerseyans are generally negative about the U.S. economy: 41% describe it as “poor,” 39% say “only fair” (up 11 percentage points since November 2024) and 18% “good” (down 9 points); less than 1% say the national economy is doing “excellent.”

Read the press release:
eagletonpoll.rutgers.edu/.../Rutgers-....

New Jerseyans give subpar ratings to both the state and national economy, though they are more positive about New Jersey than the nation, as a whole, according to the latest Rutgers-Eagleton Poll in partnership with New Jersey Organization for a Better State political action committee.

Jack Ciattarelli leads GOP race for governor, Democratic race a toss-up, poll says • New Jersey Monitor A new poll shows Jack Ciattarelli leading the GOP race to become N.J.'s next governor, while Democrats remain divided on their six candidates

According to the latest Rutgers-Eagleton Poll, 42% of New Jersey registered Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say they prefer Ciattarelli, with former radio host Bill Spadea trailing as a distant second at 12%.

Read more:
newjerseymonitor.com/briefs/jack-...

In the lead-up to the June gubernatorial primary, former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli leads the pack among Republican candidates.

“All of the candidates have made some progress since the fall in terms of voters knowing who they are, but they haven’t made noticeable gains in favorability,” said ECPIP director Ashley Koning.

Read more:
thehill.com/homenews/cam...

With under two months to go until the June primary, Democrat candidates in the NJ gubernatorial race are neck and neck, with 17% of registered Democrats preferring U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, followed by Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop at 12%, and NJ Education Association president Sean Spiller at 10%.

Ciattarelli Leads Republican Pack in Governor Race, While Democratic Side Is a Toss-Up

Learn more about the race:
www.rutgers.edu/news/ciattar...

Campaign trends during the NJ gubernatorial race have varied along partisan lines, with Republicans coalescing around former Rep. Jack Ciattarelli and Democrats not yet endorsing any particular candidate. “We currently have a tale of two primaries,” said ECPIP director Ashley Koning.

Clear front-runner among GOP candidates for governor, poll shows | Video | NJ Spotlight News Interview: Ashley Koning, director, Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling

Watch Dr. Koning's Appearance:
www.njspotlightnews.org/video/clear-...

“It’s really a tale of two primaries. On the Republican side we see in the polling that Jack Ciattarelli, far and away...has support from Republican voters, [while] we still see very large numbers [of Democrats] who...have no opinion when it comes to favorability of [their] candidates," Koning said.

ECPIP director Ashley Koning spoke with NJ Spotlight News about developments in the 2025 gubernatorial election, highlighting the growing rift between Republican and Democrat campaign trends.

One candidate has huge primary lead in packed N.J. governor’s race, new poll says Republican voters have a clear favorite in their primary. But things are more complicated for the Democrats running to replace Gov. Phil Murphy.

"On the Republican side, a leading candidate is coming into focus, while on the Democratic side, there is no clear frontrunner, given that most of the Democratic candidates are within striking distance of one another," she added.

Read more about the race:
www.nj.com/politics/202...

In the lead up to the 2025 NJ gubernatorial election, Republican voters are coalescing around candidate Jack Ciattarelli, while Democrats remain divided, according to the latest Rutgers-Eagleton Poll.

Read the full press release below:
eagletonpoll.rutgers.edu/wp-content/u...