With two months to go before the June primary, most people still don’t know who any of the Republican Senate candidates are.
According to a Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind poll released this morning, state Sen. Joe Pennacchio is the most recognized of the Republicans, with 77% of voters unable to recognize him. 84% of respondents didn’t know who Murray Sabrin was, while Andrew Unanue was unknown to 90%.
Democratic incumbent Frank Lautenberg is recognized by 85% of respondents.
The numbers slightly improved for the Republicans amongst Republican respondents. 29% have heard of Pennacchio, compared to Sabrin’s 18% and Unanue’s 12%.
"At this late date it is unusual for a state this large not to have a
better known challenger for a US Senate seat," said pollster Peter Woolley. "Voters might conclude that Republicans have conceded the seat."
77% of Republican voters did not know who they were going to vote for in June. But of the few respondents who did pick a horse, Pennacchio is the overwhelming choice. He has 13% to Sabrin’s 5% and Unanue’s 2%.
Wooley said that, with recognition numbers like this, it’s too early to tell who will win the primary in June.
The poll surveyed 816 registered voters between March 24th and 30th, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5%.