Negative ratings for both New Jersey Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine and Republican challenger Chris Christie, a former U.S. attorney, have increased in the wake of campaign attacks, according to a Sept. 11-14 Public Policy Polling survey of state voters.
Christie’s unfavorable rating has risen from 32 percent seven weeks ago, according to PPP’s past survey, to 41 percent. Corzine’s 56 percent unfavorable rating is now at 60 percent. Christie also saw an increase in his favorability from 42 percent to 45 percent while Corzine saw a decrease from 33 percent to 32 percent. The poll’s margin of error is plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.
“Negative attacks appear to be succeeding in hurting both candidates’ standing with the voters,” Tom Jensen, spokesman for PPP, wrote in his online analysis.
Corzine recently released an ad which focused on improvements in the state’s economic climate, though it also hit out at Christie.
Democrats have hammered Christie on ethics, aiming to cut down the crime-busting reputation on which he has campaigned. Republicans argue Corzine is ineffective and has allowed state taxes and government spending to negatively affect the state’s economy.
Christie continues to lead Corzine in the PPP poll, 44 percent to 35 percent. The candidates’ totals each decreased from PPP’s last poll because the September survey was the first time Independent candidate Chris Daggett, a former EPA administrator, was included in their polling.
In the survey of 500 state voters, 13 percent of respondents indicated they would vote for Daggett. Unaffiliated voters make up 46 percent of registered voters in the state, but Daggett also appears to be pulling votes away from Corzine.
“His [Daggett’s] supporters seem to be Democratic-leaning voters who can’t quite bring themselves to vote for a Republican,” Jensen wrote.
CQ Politics rates the race as Leans Republican.
To follow the 2009 and 2010 governors’ races, check out CQ Politics’ election map.
— Rachel Kapochunas
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