Mike Davis

@byMikeDavis

Phil Murphy and Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno are still the leading candidates in their primary battles but both are still being soundly defeated by "undecided."

According to a Quinnipiac University poll, about 57 percent of Democrats and 42 percent of Republicans are still undecided in their respective primary races.

And the leading candidates still remain largely unknown: Seventy percent of respondents said they "dont' know enough" about Murphy while 63 percent said the same about Guadagno.

MORE: Life after Chris Christie

"The leading candidates are little known, despite [Gudagano's] years as lieutenant governor and the huge amount of money [Murphy] already has spent," said Maurice Carroll, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. "Will that change if they win the nominations? Sure, but it's hardly an auspicious start."

In the Democratic race, Murphy has taken a commanding lead among the candidates -- but is still overshadowed by the undecided voters:

57 percent: Don't know / not applicable

Don't know / not applicable 23 percent: Murphy, 59, a Middletown resident

Murphy, 59, a Middletown resident 6 percent: Assemblyman John Wisniewski, 54, of Sayreville

Assemblyman John Wisniewski, 54, of Sayreville 4 percent: State Sen. Ray Lesniak, 70, of Elizabeth

State Sen. Ray Lesniak, 70, of Elizabeth 4 percent: Former Assistant Treasury Secretary Jim Johnson, 55, of Montclair

Former Assistant Treasury Secretary Jim Johnson, 55, of Montclair 3 percent: Wouldn't vote

Wouldn't vote 2 percent: Activist Bill Brennan, of Wayne

MORE: Democratic primary shaping up as Clinton/Sanders repeat

Guadagno is leading her Republican opponents, but there's only a 10-point margin between her and comedian Joe Piscopo, a radio host and former Saturday Night Live cast member who hasn't formally announced a gubernatorial run:

42 percent: Don't know / not applicable

Don't know / not applicable 28 percent: Guadagno, 57, a Monmouth Beach resident

Guadagno, 57, a Monmouth Beach resident 18 percent: Piscopo, 65, a Lebanon resident

Piscopo, 65, a Lebanon resident 5 percent: Wouldn't vote

Wouldn't vote 3 percent: Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, 55, of Hillsborough

Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, 55, of Hillsborough 2 percent: Nutley Commissioner Steve Rogers, 65

Nutley Commissioner Steve Rogers, 65 1 percent: Entrepreneur Joseph Rullo, of Little Egg Harbor

"Question: Can a TV comic such as Joe Piscopo be a serious candidate for governor of New Jersey," Carroll said. "Answer: Remember Ronald Reagan."

In a general election scenario, Murphy has 47 percent support while 25 percent support Guadagno. Another 25 percent of voters were undecided in the hypothetical match-up.

MORE: Is Monmouth County becoming NJ's political center?

The poll of 1,098 New Jersey voters also reported a 2-point bump in Gov. Chris Christie's historically low job approval rating, up to 19 percent. But about 56 percent of poll respondents still gave Christie a "D" or "F" grade for job performance.

Other findings in the poll include:

59 percent: Disapprove of President Donald Trump's first two months in office

Disapprove of President Donald Trump's first two months in office 57 percent: Approve of U.S. Sen. Cory Booker's job

Approve of U.S. Sen. Cory Booker's job 45 percent: Approve of U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez's job

Approve of U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez's job 45 percent: Believe Christie should take a sports radio job if it's available

Mike Davis: 732-643-4223; mdavis@gannettnj.com