NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – Half of New Jersey voters say they oppose the “Make America Great Again” movement, while most Republicans stand firmly behind it, according to a new Rutgers-Eagleton Poll released Tuesday.
The survey found that 44% of registered voters “strongly oppose” MAGA and another 5% “somewhat oppose” it. On the other side, 19% “strongly support” and 15% “somewhat support” the movement, while 17% neither support nor oppose it.
Feelings among likely voters shifted only slightly, increasing both support and opposition by a point or two.
Among Republicans, enthusiasm remains strong: 53% “strongly support” and 32% “somewhat support” MAGA. Just 3% expressed any level of opposition. Democrats, by contrast, are overwhelmingly against it, with 86% opposed. Independents are split, with 45% opposing and 27% supporting the movement, while 28% remain neutral.
Support breaks sharply along racial and demographic lines. White voters are far more likely than other groups to support MAGA, while Black voters are the most likely to oppose it. Older voters and those without a college degree lean more supportive, while higher-income households and college-educated voters express greater opposition.
Geography also plays a role: urban and suburban voters show less support, while residents in South Jersey, the Shore, and exurban regions are more favorable.
The poll also linked MAGA sentiment to the upcoming gubernatorial race. Among likely voters, 81% of MAGA supporters back Republican Jack Ciattarelli, while 82% of opponents back Democrat Mikie Sherrill. Independents who support MAGA heavily favor Ciattarelli, while those opposed lean toward Sherrill. Voters who neither support nor oppose MAGA remain largely undecided.
The poll surveyed 1,650 registered voters between July 31 and August 11, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.
Key Points
- Half of New Jersey voters oppose the MAGA movement, according to a Rutgers-Eagleton Poll
- Most Republicans strongly support MAGA, while Democrats overwhelmingly oppose it
- MAGA sentiment could play a decisive role in the 2025 governor’s race between Jack Ciattarelli and Mikie Sherrill
New Jersey’s political divide over MAGA shows no sign of cooling down.
