STATE – A new Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey poll shows that state Sen. Leonard Lance (R-Clinton Township) holds a small lead over Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-Fanwood) in the race for the 7th District U.S. House seat that is currently held by Republican Mike Ferguson.
Among registered voters, Lance leads Stender 41 percent to 37; among likely voters, he leads 43 percent to 39. The poll, conducted from Sept. 30 through Oct. 2, has a margin of error of 4.4 percent for registered voters and 4.8 percent for likely voters.
“It’s a small lead well within the margin of error. This is by no means over yet,” said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute.
Stender came within 3,000 votes of defeating Ferguson for the House seat in 2006. Ferguson announced last year that he would not seek re-election.
Poll respondents gave Lance the edge on taxes and spending, national security, Iraq, energy issues and veterans’ issues. Stender had the advantage on health care and the environment.
