Corzine Can't Gain Much Ground on Christie in N.J. Gov's Race

2 years ago

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New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine does not appear to be gaining ground in his race against Republican Chris Christie, with the latter ahead by 48 percent to 41 percent in a new Rasmussen Reports poll, just one point less than his lead was earlier this month.

The poll, conducted Sept. 21, has independent Chris Daggett at 6 percent and 5 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4.5 percent.

Corzine continues to be dogged by the high number of voters who see him unfavorably compared to Christie. Sixty percent regard Corzine somewhat or very unfavorably, with 39 percent being in the very unfavorable category. Christie's unfavorables are 46 percent with 22 percent in the very unfavorable category.

By large margins, voters trust Christie more than Corzine on a range of issues. On taxes, the margin is 47 percent to 33 percent; on cutting government spending, 46 percent to 29 percent; and on cracking down on corruption, 48-28.

Forty percent of voters cite taxes as the top issue in the campaign, followed by government ethics and corruption at 23 percent, jobs at 13 percent and education at 12 percent.

In analyzing the race, Rasmussen says, "Traditionally in New Jersey, Democrats gain ground over the final months of the campaign. No Republican has won a statewide race in New Jersey since 1997, but the incumbent governor is unpopular enough to give the GOP a chance this year. However, Corzine is expected to heavily outspend Christie, which could be a game-changing factor."

Filed Under: Polls, Governors, Poll Watch

Tagged: chris christie, chris daggett, ChrisChristie, ChrisDaggett, daily guidance, DailyGuidance, jon corzine, JonCorzine, New Jersey Governors Race, NewJerseyGovernorsRace

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