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Murphy Gets Positive Ratings From NJ Residents

Governor Phil Murphy

Three months into his term in office, a Monmouth University poll finds New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is getting a positive rating from voters.

44 percent of New Jersey residents surveyed approve of the job Murphy is doing while 28 percent disapprove.

Poll director Patrick Murray says that’s a better rating than the previous two governors, Chris Christie and Jon Corzine, had at the same point of their terms.

“Part of Phil Murphy’s positive job approval rating right now has a lot to do with the fact that he’s still really an unknown commodity. He came into office with people really not knowing what he stood for and he continues to fly under the radar.”

Murray says Murphy is enjoying a honeymoon period with voters.

“Part of that honeymoon period is not because of underlying public support for what he’s doing. It’s more they’re just letting him go and do what he’s going to do without paying a lot of attention right now. I think that’s going to change after we get past the budget cycle in June and people see what his real policies are as they get put into place.”   

Murphy campaigned on a platform to build the middle class, but only 26 percent of those polled expect his policies will ultimately help that group while 41 percent expect they’ll be hurt.

Residents believe Murphy’s policies are most likely to benefit the poor.

The governor’s proposals for tax increases to fund new programs are meeting with resistance from lawmakers who are holding hearings on his budget plan.