World

NJ Governor Election 2009: Obama Eyes Corzine vs Christie Results

by Jon Azpiri | November 3, 2009 at 11:31 am

8802 views | 32 Recommendations | 8 comments

The 2009 New Jersey election race is underway and it appears to be too close to call. Democratic Governor Jon Corzine is facing stiff competition from Republican candidate Chris Christie. President Barack Obama appears to have a stake in the race, having endorsed Gov. Corzine. As in the Virginia gubernatorial race, some are wondering if the New Jersey governor's race could be seen as a referendum on the Obama administration.

Last year, Obama easily carried New Jersey, but Corzine is facing a more difficult fight. Dems that third-party candidate, Christopher J. Daggett, may take votes away from Christie, but it appears that support for Daggett is fading.

New Jersey is a predominantly Democratic state, and one where Mr. Obama invested his own political capital on behalf of Mr. Corzine. A loss there, particularly if it is part of a sweep, is going to produce a wave of “Obama is in trouble” commentary that, justified or not, will hinder the president at the very moment he needs all the clout he can muster to get bills on health care and global warming through Congress.

2 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 19:24 on November 3rd, 2009

With 81% of the vote in and Chris Christie leading Jon Corzine 49-44%. FOX News projects Chris Christie as the Winner in New Jersey.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 19:29 on November 3rd, 2009

The Associated Press has called the race for Christie, the former U.S. attorney. Christie was a big early favorite, but had fallen in the polls recently after his reputation as a clean, law-and-order guy -- in contrast to other state officials, some of whom were only recently swept up in a federal corruption probe -- was tarnished. The challenger seemed to have a problem in independent Chris Daggett, who was taking a significant portion out of the Republican's support in recent polls. Christie had an advantage in Corzine's unpopularity, though, as it gave the governor a relatively low ceiling in terms of the percentage of the vote he could hope to capture.

caj1

at 19:29 on November 3rd, 2009

Yes, that's right, ACP. Good reporting...I just heard it on the Phila. FOX news. I am shocked, but then if I think of events (mostly economic ones) it was a gradual wave beginning. Still, this result has a Wow effect!

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 19:37 on November 3rd, 2009

In Virginia Republicans took the top three spots on the ballot, Governor, Lieutenant-Governor and Attorney-General. NY 23 has not yet been decided. Owens at this point is leading Hoffman 49-46.

Apparently the President is watching FOX tonight:)

jerold (not verified)

at 08:36 on November 4th, 2009

THIS IS IT NJ IS IN FOR A OVER EXAUSTED HEAVY WEIGHT WITH HIS BLOATED POLICIES AND LAZY STRUCTURE ............ We ARE IN TROUBLE WITH CHRISTIE WATCH AND SEE !!!!!