The latest Rutgers-Eagleton Poll is out, examining the direction of the great Garden State.

The Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling conducted its survey of 621 Jersey adults from June 13–16. According to the topline findings:

• 48% of respondents believe the state is on the wrong track
• 39% believe it’s headed in the right direction
• 14% are unsure

Ashley Koning is assistant research professor and director of the Eagleton Center at Rutgers-New Brunswick. She said that the current gap between right track and wrong direction is at its widest since March 2022.

“The latest numbers on where New Jerseyans think the state is headed continue a trend we’ve seen in the past few years of a divided outlook that has often been more negative than positive,” said Koning. “And much like everything else in today’s political climate, views on the state’s future are heavily influenced by partisanship.”

Key findings of the poll include:

• Broken down by political party
  • 63% of Democrats believe the state is headed in the right direction
  • 77% of Republicans say wrong track
  • 48% say wrong track, and 32% say right direction among Independents
• Most important problems
  • 36% say something to do with taxes
  • 22% say something to do with affordability and cost of living
  • At 8%, housing and economy tied for a distant third

Koning said economic concerns are front and center for New Jerseyans. And that makes pocketbook issues a key focus in the gubernatorial race.

“But exactly which pocketbook issues to focus on depends on who you ask – with traditionally more Democratic-leaning voting blocs focused on affordability and cost of living, while traditionally more Republican-leaning voting blocs are focused on high taxes,” said Koning.

She said that the two candidates – Jack Ciattarelli (R) and Mikie Sherrill (D) – will need to confront these issues of high taxes and affordability head-on.

“The problem is that these are long-standing issues with no simple solutions, so the real test for these nominees will be convincing voters this fall that they can actually make a difference.”

The full poll results are available here.