New Jersey’s first lady, Tammy Murphy, has widespread institutional backing as she vies for a seat in the U.S. Senate. She has also far outpaced her opponents in the race for campaign cash.
But the first independent public opinion poll in the campaign suggests she is significantly trailing her main Democratic primary opponent, Representative Andy Kim.
About 32 percent of New Jersey Democrats support Mr. Kim, a third-term congressman from South Jersey, compared with 20 percent support for Ms. Murphy, a first-time candidate, according to the survey released Friday by Fairleigh Dickinson University.
When voters were asked if they “strongly approved” of each of the candidates, Ms. Murphy lagged Mr. Kim by 11 points.
The Democratic primary is not until June, and the race is only beginning to heat up.
Still, Dan Cassino, a Fairleigh Dickinson professor who led the poll, said Ms. Murphy had significant ground to make up, despite name recognition that the survey showed exceeded Mr. Kim’s.
Ms. Murphy has garnered support from a large number of Democratic Party officials, who hold extraordinary power in the state’s elections, including many who have financial incentives to remain in the good graces of her husband, Gov. Philip D. Murphy.
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