Republican challengers, especially State Sen. Diane Allen, have closed the gap in their bid
to unseat Democratic Sen. Robert Torricelli, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released
today. No matter who runs on the Republican line, only 16 percent of New Jersey voters say they
definitely will vote for Torricelli, while 33 percent say they probably will vote for him; 14 percent
say they probably will vote against him, and 21 percent say they definitely will vote against him.

Results among New Jersey registered voters show:

Torricelli over Allen 44 - 32 percent, compared to 49 - 30 percent in a March 6 poll by the
independent Quinnipiac University;

Before he dropped out of the race, Essex County Executive James Treffinger was trailing
Torricelli 45 - 29 percent.

"Sen. Torricelli is ahead, but he's hearing footsteps as the all-but-unknown Republican
challengers close the gap," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling
Institute. "Once this goes to one on one, it could be a real horse race."

"Most voters know enough about Torricelli to form an opinion and the opinion is lukewarm
at best," Carroll added.

"If President Bush, who has a 77-percent approval rating, campaigns for the challenger, it
could be lights out for The Torch."

Because of the now-ended federal investigation into Torricelli's fundraising activities, 6
percent of New Jersey voters are more likely to vote for him, while 28 percent are less likely and
59 percent say the issue will not influence their vote.
McGreevey Approval

By a 40 - 32 percent margin, with 28 percent undecided New Jersey voters approve of the
job Gov. James McGreevey is doing.

This is down from a 46 - 22 percent approval in the March 6 Quinnipiac University poll.

"The tough budget news seems to be taking a toll on New Jersey's new governor," Carroll
said.

From April 17 - 22, Quinnipiac University surveyed 837 New Jersey registered voters, with
a margin of error of +/- 3.4 percent.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut as a public service and for research.

For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu

1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way James McGreevey is handling
his job as Governor?

15. How likely are you to vote to re-elect Robert Torricelli for Senator -
Do you think you will definitely vote for him, probably vote for him,
probably vote against him, or definitely vote against him?

17. The U.S. attorney's office has ended its investigations of Senator Robert
Torricelli's 1996 campaign fundraising activities and decided not to indict
Senator Torricelli.

How will the federal investigations into Robert Torricelli's 1996 campaign
fundraising activities influence your vote for Senator this year?
Will they make you more likely to vote for Torricelli, less likely to vote
for Torricelli, or won't they have much effect one way or the other?