October Fri, 1997
1997 GUBERNATORIAL RACE: EQUAL SUPPORT FOR WHITMAN AND MCGREEVEY SHIFTS IN OPINIONS OF VOTERS WITH “SOFT” SUPPORT FOR CANDIDATES
As in past elections, the voters in New Jersey are likely to wait until closer to Election Day before they become firm in their choice for Governor. As the candidates move into a week where they will be competing in three debates, about half of the voters are firm in their choice for Governor while the other half is still in the process of making a decision. Among registered voters who say they will not change their minds before Election Day, Christie Whitman, the incumbent Republican Governor (25%) and Jim McGreevey, the Democratic challenger (22%) have about equal support. Libertarian candidate Murray Sabrin has firm support from 2 percent of the voters. Whitman (42%) and McGreevey (38%) also have about equal support when those who have selected a candidate but might change their mind before the election are included in the support for the candidates. Among this group of voters, Sabrin has 6 percent.
September Sun, 1997
1997 GUBERNATORIAL RACE: A CLOSER LOOK AT TAXES
Taxes are a perennial New Jersey campaign issue, and they are on the top of the voters’ agenda in 1997. While the state’s 30% reduction in income tax has been the hallmark of Governor Whitman’s first term in office, the percentage of voters who say that they have benefitted from this income tax reduction has declined 11 percentage points since June to 32 percent. In addition, 7-in-10 voters say that in the past three years their property taxes have increased a great deal or some. About 4-in-10 voters say the increase in property taxes is the responsibility of state government compared to about 1-in-4 who say these increases are because of local government. However, about two-thirds of the voters say their towns could do more to reduce local property taxes.
September Wed, 1997
1997 GUBERNATORIAL RACE: A CLOSER LOOK AT AUTO INSURANCE IMPACT OF WHITMAN’S CANDIDACY FOR OTHER OFFICES
New Jersey voters have identified automobile insurance as a key in the 1997 Gubernatorial Election. By a margin of 3 to 1, more voters have heard about Governor Whitman’s suggestions to reform auto insurance than have heard about Democratic challenger Jim McGreevey’s plans. At this time, while slightly more voters say McGreevey would do a better job at handling auto insurance than Whitman, about a third are not sure which of the candidates can manage this issue. In addition, more voters say the Republicans, as compared to the Democrats, are the most responsible for increases in auto insurance.
September Tue, 1997
1997 GUBERNATORIAL RACE: WHITMAN LEADS MCGREEVEY NEW JERSEYAN’S FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF LIBERTARIAN MURRAY SABRIN
There continues to be a large percentage of registered New Jersey voters who have not decided on a candidate for Governor. Among registered voters who say they will not change their minds before Election Day, Christie Whitman (23%) has a slight lead over Jim McGreevey (18%). However, close to 6-in-10 registered voters are not firm in their selection of a candidate. Whitman has a 47 to 35 percent lead over McGreevey when those who have made a choice, but might change their mind before the election, are included in the support for the candidates. These percentages are about the same as the last Eagleton Poll in June. The largest change in voter sentiment is the 5 percentage point increase in those who are not firm in their choice of a candidate from 53 percent in June to 58 percent.