Poll: Christie gains support over challenger Buono

Don’t tell New Jersey Senator Barbara Buono, but according to a Rutgers-Eagleton Poll, support for Gov. Chris Christie’s re-election continues to grow.

Christie’s handling of taxes and the economy remain sensitive spots for voters, but 64 percent of the state’s registered rolls say Christie should be re-elected — up 5 percent from numbers in November. About a quarter say they’d rather have a new governor.

Today, Christie overwhelms Democratic challenger Buono 63 percent to 21 percent. 

Buono’s principle challenge seems to be name recognition. Two-thirds of voters don’t have an opinion about her — or don’t know who she is. But even her low numbers are an improvement pover November.

The poll results suggest that any success Christie has at the polls wil not necessarily trickle down to Republican candidates for the Legislature. About 25 percent of voters say they will vote Republican in 2013, and 40 percent say they will vote Democratic.

For more poll data, visit the Rutgers website.