Summary:
- A Monmouth University poll reveals that 83 percent of New Jersey residents believe race and gender should not factor into the selection of a successor for the late Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver.
- Key constituent groups, including Democrats and black Democrats, also hold the view that qualifications should take precedence over considerations of gender and race.
- Governor Murphy's approval rating stands at 50 percent, with 40 percent disapproving, indicating a less positive sentiment compared to earlier in his second term.
A recent poll conducted by Monmouth University reveals that a majority of New Jersey residents believe that race and gender should not be considered when appointing a successor to the late Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver.
According to the poll, approximately 83 percent of those surveyed think that race and gender should not play a role in Governor Murphy's decision to select a replacement for Oliver. This sentiment prevails even within key constituent groups such as the Democratic Party. Among female Democrats, 34 percent believe that gender should influence the decision, but twice as many hold the view that it shouldn't be a factor. Similarly, about a third of black Democrats believe the next appointee should be a person of color, while twice as many believe that race should not be a determining factor.
These findings highlight the ongoing debate between the value of diversity in political appointments and the notion that appointments should be based on qualifications and a 'colorblind' approach.