By: Mario Mancini

Republican Jack Ciattarelli could close the gap in New Jersey’s gubernatorial race — and potentially win outright — by aggressively campaigning on parental rights and opposition to transgender policies, according to a new poll commissioned by the conservative American Principles Project. The survey, conducted by polling firm Cygnal, shows broad resistance among New Jersey voters to policies allowing biological males who identify as transgender to compete in girls’ sports. Sixty-eight percent oppose such participation, while only 22% are in favor. The New York Post first reported.

The poll also revealed that more than 70% of likely voters oppose using taxpayer funds for gender transition procedures or sex reassignment surgeries for minors. Just 20% said they support public funding for these services. In addition, a solid 60% majority opposes elementary schools teaching students about sexual orientation and gender identity, while only 31% expressed support for such instruction. These results indicate a significant opening for Ciattarelli to focus his campaign on cultural and education-related issues that resonate across party lines. The New York Post first reported.

Initially, Rep. Mikie Sherrill — the Democratic nominee and current front-runner to replace outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy — leads Ciattarelli 50% to 43%, with 7% of voters undecided. However, after poll respondents are given details of Sherrill’s positions on transgender rights, the race becomes a near dead heat

. According to the poll, support for Sherrill drops to 46%, while Ciattarelli climbs to 45%. Messaging used in the survey emphasized Sherrill’s record of voting to allow transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports, backing legislation that would expand access to gender-specific spaces like bathrooms and locker rooms to biological males, and supporting laws that limit therapists from discussing biological sex with minors. The New York Post first reported.

Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project, said the findings are clear: voters in blue-leaning states like New Jersey are growing frustrated with progressive social policies, especially those related to gender ideology in schools and youth medical care. “Now is the time for us to work together and flip New Jersey red so common sense can return to their state,” he said in a statement. The APP argued that transgender policy and parental rights are not just red-meat Republican issues but bipartisan concerns that could be key to swaying suburban and swing voters in a tightly contested election. The New York Post first reported.

In addition to the culture war topics, the survey revealed deep voter dissatisfaction with the current direction of the state. Fifty-three percent of those polled said New Jersey is on the wrong track, compared to just 35% who believe it’s headed in the right direction. When asked to name their top priorities, a majority cited pocketbook issues like inflation, taxes, and government spending. Another 11% listed illegal immigration and border security as their most pressing concern. The Cygnal poll, conducted June 19–20, included 500 likely general election voters and has a margin of error of ±4.36 percentage points. Respondents were surveyed via mobile text and online panel. The New York Post first reported.

Across every major demographic group measured in the poll — including independents, parents, suburban voters, and even a portion of registered Democrats — transgender-related policies drew overwhelming disapproval. Among parents of school-aged children, opposition to boys competing in girls’ sports rose to 74%, and nearly 80% of voters aged 35 to 64 opposed state-funded transition procedures for minors. Even among self-identified moderate Democrats, more than half expressed discomfort with early-childhood instruction on gender ideology.