New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine is closing in on Republican challenger Chris Christie, a month out from the 2009 election, according to a new poll by Monmouth University-Gannett New Jersey conducted Sept. 24 to 29.

The tightening race adds further weight to the candidates' first debate, at 8 p.m. in Trenton, N.J.

The Monmouth-Gannett poll found that Christie now leads Corzine 43 percent to 40 percent, within the 4.3 percent margin of error. Independent Christopher Daggett snags 8 percent of the vote.

That echoes poll results from Quinnipiac University released Wednesday that showed Christie ahead of Corzine 43 percent to 39 percent.

Republican Chris Christie’s lead over Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine continues to grow in New Jersey’s governor’s race, according to a July 29-Aug. 2 poll from Monmouth University.

Christie, a former U.S. attorney, leads Corzine 45 percent to 37 percent among likely voters, according to the poll. An additional 4 percent expressed a preference for Independent Chris Daggett, a former EPA administrator, and 13 percent were undecided.

Christie’s lead among likely voters, measured at 14 percent in the most recent poll, has expanded from 8 points in last month’s Monmouth University poll. Since the previous poll was conducted July 9-14, a widespread corruption bust has pervaded state politics and has negatively reflected on the sitting governor, who is running this fall for a second term. CQ Politics changed the rating of the race from Tossup to Leans Republican in the wake of the corruption scandal.

President Obama is scheduled to stump for Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine today, but a new poll from Monmouth University shows that it will take more than the president to save the vulnerable governor's campaign.

The poll, conducted July 9-14, found that 69 percent of likely voters said Obama's support for Corzine will have no impact on their decision whether or not to vote for the governor, who faces a strong challenge from Republican former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie.

Obama received a 59 percent job approval rating from likely voters surveyed while Corzine received a 41 percent favorability rating. Christie received a 50 percent favorability rating.

Former federal prosecutor Christopher Christie has increased his lead over former Bogota mayor Steve Lonegan with two weeks to go before Republicans go to the polls to choose their candidate for governor, according to a pair of new polls.

Quinnipiac University poll conducted May 12-18 put Christie ahead 56 percent to 33 percent. Assemblyman Rick Merkt got only 2 percent and 9 percent were undecided. Last month, Christie led Lonegan 46 percent to 37 percent.

A Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey survey, conducted May 13-18, had Christie leading 50 percent to 32 percent with 2 percent for Merkt and 16 percent undecided.