March 12, 2009 - Christie Opens 9-Point Lead Over Corzine In NJ Gov Race, Quinnipiac University New Jersey Poll Finds; Prosecutor's Experience Helps Challenger
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Christopher Christie, the Republican challenger in this year's New Jersey Governor's race, leads Democratic incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine 46 - 37 percent, even though 61 percent of voters don't know enough about the former U.S. Attorney to form an opinion of him, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. This compares to a 44 - 38 percent Christie lead in a February 4 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.
In this latest survey, Democrats support Corzine 69 - 14 percent while Christie leads 87 - 4 percent among Republicans and 49 - 31 percent among independent voters. Men back the Republican 51 - 34 percent and women back him 41 - 39 percent.
Corzine leads former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan 41 - 37 percent, even though 77 percent of New Jersey voters haven't heard enough about Lonegan to form an opinion.
Only 44 percent of voters were aware that Christie was a federal prosecutor who successfully forced more than 100 New Jersey politicians to leave office. But 42 percent of voters say that experience makes them more likely to vote for Christie.
Voters say 48 - 36 percent that his background as a prosecutor gives Christie the experience to be Governor. Voters say 49 - 37 percent it is better to have a new face such as Christie than a business man such as Corzine leading the state during the economic crisis.
"There are no good numbers for Gov. Jon Corzine in this poll, and since it was taken before his Draconian budget was released, his numbers could be even worse today," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"Chris Christie continues to widen his lead over Jon Corzine in the race for Governor and this poll indicates Christie could become stronger once he gets better known."
"Six out of 10 voters say they do not know enough about Christie to form an opinion and nearly as many say they were unaware he is the federal prosecutor who put more than 100 New Jersey politicians out of office," Richards added. "When told of his record as a prosecutor, about a third of those who did not have an opinion about him said they were more likely to vote for him after hearing about his record."
"But a third of voters, including one in five Republicans, say being a prosecutor has not given Christie enough experience to be Governor. On the other hand, half the voters say that in the current economic crisis the state needs a new face as governor, while only 37 percent say a businessman should lead the state."
In a possible Republican primary, Christie tops Lonegan 40 - 19 percent, with 32 percent undecided.
Voters disapprove 50 - 40 percent of the job Corzine is doing, continuing a six-month string of negative ratings. Independent voters disapprove 54 - 37 percent.
New Jersey voters say 53 - 34 percent that Corzine does not deserve to be reelected. Democrats want him back 61 - 24 percent, while Republicans say no 87 - 7 percent and independent voters turn thumbs down 57 - 28 percent.
Corzine also gets a negative 38 - 50 percent favorability rating. Christie gets a 31 - 7 percent favorability, but 61 percent of New Jersey voters don't know enough about him to form an opinion, unchanged from February 4. For Lonegan, 77 percent don't know enough.
Only 20 percent of New Jersey voters say Corzine's experience on Wall Street helps the state during this economic crisis, while 20 percent say it hurts the state and 56 percent say it makes no difference. |
