August 12, 2008 - 5:50am
News

Quinnipiac: Lautenberg leads Zimmer by 7 points

U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg has a seven-point lead over former Republican U.S. Rep. Dick Zimmer, 48%-41%, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll released this morning.

More than half of New Jersey’s registered voters – 55% -- say the 84-year-old Lautenberg is too old to effectively serve another six years in the United States Senate.  39% say he is not too old.

Lautenberg has a 46%-38% approval rating, and his favorable are at 43%-35%.  Zimmer, who served in Congress from 1991 to 1997, remains largely unknown to New Jerseyans – 62% don’t know who he is, though he has a 25%-12% favorable rating.

“Sen. Frank Lautenberg has a comfortable lead over a not very strong opponent.  It’s summer and voters aren’t paying a lot of attention to this race,” said Richards.  “When they do, the incumbent’s lead may get bigger – if voters don't get too concerned about the Senator’s age.”

Among independents, Zimmer leads 48%-41%. 

Politicker Staff can be reached via email at editor@politickerma.com.