Christie coattails not sturdy enough for GOP Senate candidates, poiltical analysts say

In the final days before the Nov. 5 election, Gov. Chris Christie is making a series of campaign stops in three districts where Republican candidates for the New Jersey Senate believe they have a good chance to win.

The latest polls give Christie a commanding lead over Democratic rival state Sen. Barbara Buono in his campaign to keep his seat.

But Monmouth University political analyst Patrick Murray said while Christie’s efforts on behalf on GOP candidates for the Senate could influence some voters, that might not be enough.

“Even as long as Christie’s coattails may be, these districts are Democratic districts, and these incumbents really know how to fight campaigns,” he said.

Montclair State political science professor Brigid Harrison also does not expect Christie’s push will result in big victories for those Republican candidates.

“At this point in time, many voters have already made up their minds,” Harrison said. “You have to remember that for many of the campaigns going on right now, all of the issues have been decided.”

Analysts say the legislative district maps favor incumbents hanging onto their seats, and they do not expect the Republicans will wrest control of the Legislature from the Democrats.

Christie intends to visit 38th District, covering parts of Bergen and Passaic counties; the 14th, covering portions of Mercer and Middlesex counties; and the 18th, which covers parts of Middlesex County.