FDU Poll: Sherrill leads Ciattarelli by Single Digits in Governor’s Race

With the primary election behind us, the race to be the next governor of New Jersey is close, with Democratic nominee Mikie Sherrill holding an eight-point lead over Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli among likely voters, 45 percent to 37 percent, and 16 percent still undecided. An experiment embedded in the poll shows the extent to which how the race is framed – around local or around national issues – changes who independent voters favor and could be decisive in a close election.

Though the general election is still a few months off, both Democrats and Republicans have largely lined up behind their candidates: 87 percent of Democrats say that they’ll vote for Sherrill, and 86 percent of Republicans for Ciattarelli. Ciattarelli’s support among Republicans is a little softer…