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FDU is out with its latest poll measuring New Jerseyans’ feelings about its past governors — as well as the approval rating of its current one.

The survey found fonder feelings about past governors versus more recent ones. Republican Gov. Tom Kean (who served from 1982-1990) ranked the highest, with 86% of respondents who were here during his tenure saying he did a good job.

“Kean was popular when he was in office, and remains popular now,” said Dan Cassino, a professor of government and politics at Fairleigh Dickinson and the executive director of the poll. “His role as kind of an elder statesman for the 9-11 Commission has also certainly helped burnish his reputation.”

Gov. Phil Murphy’s approval rating was largely unchanged, with 46% approving and 43% disapproving.

When it comes to other past N.J. governors:

• Brendan Byrne, Democrat, 1974-1982
  63% good job, 37% bad job
• Dick Codey, Democrat, 2004-2006
  58% good job, 42% bad job
• Christie Todd Whitman, Republican, 1994-2001
  52% good job, 48% bad job
• Jim Florio, Democrat, 1990-1994
  48% good job, 52% bad job
• Don DiFrancesco, Republican, 2001-2002
  44% good job, 56% bad job
• Jim McGreevey, Democrat, 2022-2004
  42% good job, 58% bad job
• Jon Corzine, Democrat, 2006-2010
  41% good job, 59% bad job
• Chris Christie, Republican, 2010-2018
  40% good job, 60% bad job

“This isn’t just rose-colored glasses,” said Cassino. “Governors in the past were dealing with a less polarized electorate and had more support from the other party than any governor today could.”

The survey was conducted between April 1 and April 8 with a sample of 809 registered New Jersey voters.

The full poll results are available here.

Previous polls:

• FDU Poll finds strong support for EV fees
• Murphy approval holds steady in latest FDU Poll
• FDU poll: NJ residents split over Murphy’s liquor license expansion