Forecast calls for ‘Christie storm’ at N.J. polls

A just-released Quinnipiac University poll shows Gov. Chris Christie is maintaining about a two-to-one lead over Democratic challenger, state Sen. Barbara Buono, in the N.J. gubernatorial race. Matt Friedman, Trenton Statehouse reporter for the Star Ledger, give us a preview of the election.

A just-released Quinnipiac University poll shows Gov. Chris Christie is maintaining about a two-to-one lead over Democratic challenger, state Sen. Barbara Buono, in the N.J. gubernatorial race.

About 60 percent of likely voters favor Christie while 33 percent plan to vote for Buono, said poll director Maurice Carroll.

“Gov. Christie’s weekend bus tour must have seemed like a victory lap. Sen. Buono gave it a good New Jersey try, but she wasn’t stronger than the Christie storm,” Carroll said. “Christie’s final numbers over Buono say blowout.”

The big uncertainty in Tuesday’s election is whether Christie’s push on behalf of Republican legislative candidates in the final days of the campaign will help them win and possibly wrest control of the Senate or Assembly from the Democrats, Carroll said.

Voters will decide on all 120 seats in the state Legislature.

Voters also will weigh in on proposed amendments to the state constitution. One ballot question asks whether to raise the minimum wage by $1 and link future increases to the cost of living; the other involves how veterans groups to spend money they raise through games of chance.