Poll: Christie pulling ahead in NJ gov race
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
By: Fit Staff
mcampbell@whyy.org
By: Phil Gregory
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The latest Monmouth University poll shows Republican Chris Christie widening his lead over incumbent Democrat Jon Corzine in the race for Governor of New Jersey.
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The survey of likely voters shows Christie now has a 14 point advantage, up from an 8 point lead over Corzine last month. But what may be surprising is that corruption is not identified as voters' major concern. Poll Director Patrick Murray says only 13 percent of respondents say that's the top issue in the campaign.
Murray: So even those big busts that made headlines are still not changing voters minds. They will not be deterred or swayed from their sense that this election is about property taxes.
The economy, health care, jobs and the state budget were all issues voters in the survey viewed as more important than corruption. Voters see Christie as having an advantage in handling property taxes, the economy and corruption while Corzine is seen as better able to deal with environmental policy.