The University’s survey research organization, PublicMind, conducted a number of polls this fall, including surveys of key legislative races for the New Jersey State Senate. And, once again, PublicMind caught the attention of the media and those tuned into politics.

The polling institute did a statewide pre-election survey on the governor’s approval ratings, voters’ policy preferences, recall procedures and homeland security. Among the findings was the fact that most people were not thrilled about Gov. James McGreevey’s performance thus far as governor, and that the state is not moving in the right direction. But New Jersey voters were not interested in making a recall process for governor any easier. That survey was used by many outlets throughout the New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia metropolitan areas as a guide for reporting during this year’s election season.

PublicMind followed the statewide poll with a series of snapshots of what were projected to be the most hotly contested races for the Senate. “Independent polling organizations typically have not covered legislative races in New Jersey, and we found the media’s appetite for this information voracious,” said Peter Woolley, director, PublicMind, and political science (Flor).

With the New Jersey Senate tied 20-20, both Republicans and Democrats put a lot of effort and money into key races, Woolley noted. One of these was the 12th district, where Senate co-president John Bennett was facing a serious challenge. PublicMind was the first independent polling organization to announce that Bennett’s challenger, Democrat Ellen Karcher, was leading. (Karcher did indeed win.)

PublicMind also looked at the races in the 4th, 14th, 36th and 38th legislative districts. “These elections are enormously important to the future of New Jersey,” Woolley said. “The public is confused not just by negative advertising and conflicting charges of candidates but by conflicting claims of campaign-driven polls. Thus, FDU was able and willing to provide the public with independent observation and comment.”

PublicMind polls and its principal spokespersons (including Woolley; Bruce Larson, survey analyst, PublicMind, and political science (Flor); Stephen Salmore, research professor of political science (Flor); and Rick Thigpen, academic associate, PublicMind) were quoted in virtually every news outlet that covered the elections including: USA Today, Investors Business Daily, The New York Times, New York Newsday, The Star-Ledger, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 1010 WINS, New Jersey 101.5, NJN News, News12 New Jersey, the WB11, WABC-TV and many more.

PublicMind also found this fall that President George Bush’s approval ratings were declining and that two-thirds of New Jerseyans have not made any emergency plans for the event of a terrorist attack. For complete survey results, see http://publicmind.fdu.edu.

December 2003/
January 2004

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Flor =
College at Florham, Madison, N.J.

Metro =
Metropolitan Campus, Teaneck, N.J.

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