November Sun, 1994
DYNAMICS IN THE NEW JERSEY SENATE RACE LAUTENBERG LEADS BUT VOTER DISCONTENT MAY HELP HAYTAIAN
Although Frank Lautenberg continues to lead Chuck Haytaian, many voters in New Jersey are taking a "wait and see" approach in the final days of the election. Although there has been some increase in the firmness of support for both candidates, a third of the voters are still not committed to either incumbent Democrat Senator Frank Lautenberg or Republican Assembly Speaker Garabed "Chuck" Haytaian. Among those who have selected a candidate Lautenberg continues to have support from more voters than Haytaian by a margin of 37 to 28 percent. In the past two weeks Lautenberg has increased his firm support by 6 percentage points compared to 3 percentage points for Republican challenger Haytaian. However, among those voters who are very interested in the election, and therefore more likely to turn out on Election Day, the two candidates are running even. Lautenberg's margin over Haytaian increases 49 to 35 percent when voters with softer opinions are added to those who are more decisive.
October Sun, 1994
THE MOOD OF THE NEW JERSEY ELECTORATE
Candidates running for election in New Jersey are dealing with voters who are cynical about campaign promises and angry about the way government works. Nine-in-ten likely voters agree that many political candidates make promises that they do not keep, and 7-in-10 say that they often get angry about actions government takes. Looking specifically at this election, half of New Jersey voters feel that the Senatorial candidates are addressing the issues that concern them, 4-in-10 say that the Democrats have controlled Congress long enough and it's time to vote in the Republicans, and 1-in-3 would vote for a candidate they don't know much about if they are dissatisfied with an incumbent.
October Mon, 1994
ISSUES IN THE U.S. SENATE RACE
With three weeks remaining in the U.S. Senate campaign, no single issue dominates New Jersey voters' agenda. One-fifth feel crime is the most important issue in this Senate campaign, 14 percent say it is the problem of unemployment, 13 percent feel it is health care, and 9 percent say taxes.
October Sun, 1994
SENATE RACE TIGHTENS: MORE NEW JERSEYANS CERTAIN ABOUT CANDIDATES
Since early September, Republican challenger Garabed (Chuck) Haytaian has gained more supporters than Democratic incumbent Frank Lautenberg as voters become more decisive about their choice for the U.S. Senate. Haytaian's firm support has grown by 9 percentage points to 25 percent compared to a 5 percentage point increase for Lautenberg to 31 percent. Forty-four percent of likely voters in New Jersey have not made a firm decision about either of the candidates who seek to represent New Jersey.