The results of first poll of the 2025 Gubernatorial Republican Primary election have been released by Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill.

The survey is good news for front-runner Jack Ciattarelli, as it shows him with a 2 to 1 lead over his closest rival and a much bigger lead over the other challengers.

Ciatterelli leads radio talk show host Bill Spadea 26 % to 13 %

The other Republican candidates, including New Jersey State Senator Jon Bramnick received less than 5 percent support.

In addition to surveying the horse race, this poll did a good job looking at the critical issues according to New Jersey respondents.

The poll was released on Thursday, January 23, 2025.

Ciatterelli was the Republican Nominee in 2021, whereby he received 48.5 percent of the popular vote against two-term Governor Phil Murphy.

The June, 2025 Primary Election is about 4 1/2 months away and 47 percent of respondents were undecided in this poll.

"With less than six months until New Jersey's gubernatorial primaries, 2021 Republican gubernatorial candidate Ciattarelli emerges as the early favorite in the primary, with presumably higher name recognition," said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling.

The race is extremely tight in the Democrat side of the aisle.

  • U.S. Congresswonan Mikie Sherrill leads with 10%
  • New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller is at 8%
  • Newark Mayor Ras Baraka also received 8%
  • U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer is at 7%
    former State Senate President Steve Sweeney also received 7%.
  • Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop received 4%.

It’s advantage Ciattarelli at this time. He enjoys a large lead and a large fundraising advantage over his Republican primary opponents.

While on the Democrat side, they’re in a nail biter where they will be forced to spend a fortune to win the Democrat nomination.

An even higher 55% of Democrat voters in the survey remain undecided.

65% of the respondents said that the economy and affordable housing are their top issues.

63% of voters responded that they are falling short of being able to pay for their food costs, car payment and other expenses.

23% said they are breaking even and 15% said that they are doing fine.

74% responded that they favor free kindergarten being provided in public schools.

64% of respondents favor a ban on cellular telephone in public and charter schools.

Here are some photos that are New Jersey centric.

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Franmarie Metzler
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SOURCE: Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill poll.

 

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