NJ lawmaker claims Quinnipiac governor’s poll tilted toward Sherrill
Trenton, NJ – A New Jersey assemblyman is questioning the credibility of a recent Quinnipiac University poll showing Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a Virginia native, leading Republican Jack Ciattarelli in the state’s upcoming governor’s race.
Assemblyman Jamel Holley, who said he personally participated in the survey, claimed the poll’s design and wording were biased in Sherrill’s favor.
Holley alleged the poll’s phrasing and candidate descriptions subtly favored Sherrill, making it appear she held a stronger appeal among voters than she actually does.
The Quinnipiac poll, released earlier this week, reported Sherrill with 50 percent support compared to 48 percent for Ciattarelli, within the survey’s margin of error.
Holley posted his concerns on social media, arguing that the questions, while appearing neutral, were “structured in a way that leaned toward one candidate.”
Alleged polling flaws
According to Holley, the survey’s descriptions of Sherrill and Ciattarelli were uneven, casting the Democratic candidate in a more favorable light. He said that upon reviewing the poll’s topline data and methodology, the results appeared “inaccurate and misleading.”
Holley claimed to have recalculated the poll data using what he described as “corrected phrasing and balanced weighting,” asserting that Ciattarelli would hold a narrow lead if those adjustments were applied.
Response from polling center
Quinnipiac University has not publicly responded to Holley’s criticism. The polling organization, known for its national and statewide political surveys, has defended its methodology in past elections against similar accusations of bias.
Political analysts note that single polls often fluctuate due to timing, sample size, and question design, cautioning against drawing conclusions from one survey alone.
Growing scrutiny over pre-election surveys
As New Jersey’s governor’s race tightens, both campaigns are ramping up messaging around electability and polling accuracy.
Holley, a Democrat himself, said his concerns were not partisan but focused on “ensuring voters see unbiased data.”