By David Madden

TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) - A new poll in New Jersey suggests that voters are a little lethargic about the top two races on the ballot this year.

The latest Monmouth University survey gives President Obama a 51% approval rating, up four points from October, although less than half of respondents think he deserves a second term. Less than a third would be more likely to vote for either Republican Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich in the fall.

Down to US Senate, where incumbent Democrat Bob Menendez’s numbers are just as lukewarm.

“41-percent approve, 26-percent disapprove among New Jersey voters,” Poll Director Patrick Murray says “with another 33-percent saying they really don’t know enough about him after six years on the job.”

But Menendez can take comfort in this, his lone declared Republican opponent, State Senator Joe Kyrillos, has a four percent favorable rating, and Murray says “only 20% say that they recognize his name.”