According to a new DCCC-commissioned poll, former Microsoft executive Josh Gottheimer is within striking distance of North Jersey Tea Party Congressman Scott Garrett, 44-46.
The poll also finds that voters are already rejecting Garrett’s bigoted beliefs and Tea Party extremism. A majority of voters believe Garrett ‘puts his own beliefs ahead of the people he represents,’ including 55 percent of Independents. Another 47 percent of voters describe Garrett as ‘out of step with New Jersey,’ and 45 percent believe he ‘wants to turn back the clock on social issues.’
The poll also reveals an electoral trend in the district that is poised to favor Democrats this cycle.
Despite a 3-point Republican advantage in party registration among likely voters, the generic Democrat leads the generic Republican in the congressional ballot by 5 points (50 to 45 percent). And while President Obama narrowly lost this district twice, Hillary Clinton is currently leading Donald Trump by 3 points in the four-way vote (43 to 40 percent).
“With less than 70 days to go, former Microsoft executive Josh Gottheimer is already within striking distance of Tea Party Congressman Scott Garrett,” said Bryan Lesswing at the DCCC. “It is clear that North Jersey voters are rejecting Congressman Scott Garrett’s bigoted beliefs and Tea Party extremism.”