Another Poll Shows N.J. Governor Contest as a One-Point Race

Christie leads Corzine, 41 percent to 40 percent, with 14 percent for independent Chris Daggett and 5 percent undecided in the poll conducted Oct. 7-12. The margin of error is 2.8 points. A survey released yesterday by Public Policy Polling, conducted Oct. 9-12, had Christie ahead, 40 percent to 39 percent with 13 percent for Daggett and 8 percent undecided.

Eighty percent of Christie supporters and 75 percent of Corzine backers say their minds are made up, but only 39 percent of Daggett's supporters say the same. Asked whether voters saw Daggett favorably or not, 73 percent responded that they didn't know enough about him to have an opinion.

"Historically, third party candidates fade on election day. Apparently, voters agree," said Quinnipiac's Maurice Carroll. "Very few of his backers are committed to independent candidate Christopher Daggett, and 77 percent of all voters say he has no chance of winning."

That leaves the question of which way Daggett supporters will break should they decide not to vote for him. When Daggett supporters were asked who their second choice is for governor, 40 percent said Christie, 33 percent picked Corzine, 13 percent said they wouldn't vote and 10 percent were undecided. Four percent said they'd prefer someone else.

Christie is seen unfavorably by 40 percent and favorably by 38 percent, with 20 percent not having heard enough to form an opinion. Those are about the same numbers he's had since the beginning of September, although the percentage of voters who said they didn't know enough about him has dropped from 27 percent.

Corzine is seen unfavorably by 53 percent and favorably by 40 percent with only 4 percent not having an opinion. Fifty-six percent don't approve of his performance of governor, compared to 39 percent who do.

Voters do not regard Corzine as honest and trustworthy by 48 percent to 45 percent, with 7 percent undecided. Forty-two percent view Christie as honest and trustworthy, compared to 40 percent who do not, with 18 percent undecided.

"People obviously are listening to the negative ads from both sides. Both Corzine and Christie get a split, at best, on the 'honesty' question," Carroll said.

Sixty-two percent believe taxes will go up if Corzine is re-elected while only 35 percent say that about Christie.