Despite Monmouth Polls Showing Murphy In The Lead, Ciattarelli Says His Polls Are Closer

NEW JERSEY — A Monmouth University poll on the gubernatorial race in New Jersey released on Wednesday shows Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy leading by double digits over Republican Jack Ciattarelli, but the challenger's campaign maintain the race is closer than it appears.

The Monmouth poll puts Murphy over Ciattarelli by 13 points at 51 percent to 38 percent. An August poll by the university showed a slighter bigger lead, 16 points, for Murphy.

"This is typical New Jersey voter inattentiveness. Ciattarelli has not been able to introduce himself yet, but these results also mean the Murphy campaign’s attempts to paint their opponent as an extremist have not penetrated either," said Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute.

Ciattarelli's campaign spokesperson Stami Williams told Patch the campaign is focused on two other polls that were released, one by the Ciattarelli campaign and one by Club for Growth PAC, "that places the race in the margin of error."

According to a Ciattarelli September campaign poll, the Republican candidate trails Murphy by three points, 42 percent to 45 percent.

"This continues an impressive trend, as Jack trailed by 17 points in April (30 percent -47 percent) and then by 12 points in June (37 percent -49 percent)," the poll memo reads.

The Club for Growth PAC poll puts Murphy in the lead over Ciattarelli, 43 percent - 41 percent, also within the margin of error.

According to the Monmouth University poll, 90 percent of Democrats are backing Murphy and 91 percent of Republicans are with Ciattarelli. Among independents, which represents about 36 percent of the electorate, Murphy has a narrower 44 percent-39 percent lead.

The Club for Growth poll shows different numbers along party lines, with Ciattarelli winning 87 percent of Republicans and Murphy winning 75 percent of Democrats. The poll has Independents backing the GOP challenger by a 43 percent - 28 percent margin.

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