Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, was named on Feb. 21 to the 2022 NJBIZ Power 100 list, which recognizes the most powerful people in New Jersey. This is Murray’s third year appearing on the roster, which ranks the top 10 individuals in numerical order, and the remaining 90 listed alphabetically.
According to NJBIZ, “Murray just finished an extended period in the media spotlight during the 2020 presidential campaign and the 2021 New Jersey gubernatorial election. Both produced some stress for Murray, the director of the Monmouth University poll. The poll is one of the most closely watched surveys of public opinion and Murray is a sought-after political analyst able to dissect poll results in a way anyone can understand.
But polling in general has been subject to criticism after some misses. In New Jersey, many polls – including Monmouth – showed Gov. Phil Murphy with a commanding lead late in the campaign. The actual vote, of course, was much closer, preventing Murphy from declaring victory on election night. Murray has been forthright about the failure, writing in an op-ed for nj.com that he got it wrong. But he can also serve as a leader in reforming the process.”
Murray is the founding director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, which launched in 2005. He frequently appears as a commentator on national and regional TV and radio, including appearances on various programs at CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, PBS, and NPR. In the institute’s home state, Murray has appeared on numerous power lists of the most influential people in New Jersey politics. Murray also served as a longtime board member of the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area.
Read more about the 2022 NJBIZ Power 100.