Cory Booker poll numbers strong, opens wide lead over Republican opponent

U.S. Senator Cory Booker. PHOTO/Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

Democratic Senator Cory Booker has the early lead in New Jersey’s U.S. Senate race, but a poll shows uncertainty among voters.

According to the Monmouth University/Asbury Park Press Poll conducted this week, 43 percent of registered voters surveyed support Booker as compared to 23 percent who back his Republican opponent Jeff Bell.

However, 15 percent say they would vote for another candidate and 17 percent are undecided.

Poll director Patrick Murray says the early preference for none of the above indicates a simmering distrust of the 2 major parties.

Booker’s approval rating of 48 percent remains mostly unchanged from previous surveys in April and February. Bell is suffering from low name recognition.

The telephone survey of 717 registered voters has a sampling error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press