Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, was recently named to the 2020 NJBIZ Power 100 list, which recognizes the most powerful people in New Jersey business. This is Murray’s first time appearing on the Power 100 list, having previously appeared at No. 4 on NJBIZ’s 2019 Education Power 50 list.
According to NJBIZ: “Murray is a legitimate political celebrity. The Monmouth University poll, which he runs, is highly regarded as a measure of public opinion and with a presidential campaign the dominant news story of 2020, the poll and its director will be ubiquitous in print, online and on the air. Murray is a sought-after political analyst and is able to dissect poll results in a way anyone can understand. He also makes sure to run reality checks on his own poll and is not afraid to admit when it might be an outlier. Murray’s candor, his experience as a campaign-watcher and his media-friendly demeanor make him one of the most authoritative voices in politics, both in New Jersey and across the country.”
Murray was named the founding director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute in 2005. In that short time, the Monmouth University Poll has established itself as one of the nation’s leading independent survey research centers, consistently earning an A-plus rating from FiveThirtyEight.com. The Monmouth Poll was one of only six polls to earn the top grade out of 430 groups rated in 2019.
Murray 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. During federal election years, he also serves as an exit poll analyst for the NBC News Decision Desk. 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.