A new Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey poll released Wednesday on the Democratic Senate primary offered some good news for both Rep. Robert Andrews and Sen. Frank Lautenberg. But on balance, Lautenberg fared better.

The poll of 803 New Jersey adults conducted April 24-28 showed that Democratic voters prefer Lautenberg as their candidate over Andrews 35 percent to 20 percent with 28 percent undecided. The poll had a 4.9-point margin of error.

Among all those surveyed, Lautenberg had a 43 percent to 30 percent favorable/unfavorable rating and only 6 percent did not recognize who he was. Andrews had a 13 percent to 12 percent favorable/unfavorable rating with 57 unable to recognize him.

But in a campaign where the 50-year-old Congressman is emphasizing his energy (if not his age) in comparison to the 84-year-old incumbent, Andrews did get some good news out of the new poll. In response to the question, “Do you agree or disagree that Frank Lautenberg is getting too old to be an effective Senator?” 41 percent agreed and 46 percent disagreed. That question had a 3.9-point margin of error. A January poll by Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey showed 34 percent agreed and 51 percent disagreed when asked the same question.

The New Jersey primary will take place June 3.

— John McArdle