January 9, 2009 - 5:00am
News

Poll: Corzine leads Christie, but continues to struggle for voter approval

Gov. Jon Corzine has a 7-point lead over Republican Chris Christie in a new Fairleigh Dickinson University poll. In the GOP primary, Christie, the former U.S. Attorney, has a 17-point lead over former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan.

Gov. Jon Corzine leads Republican Christopher Christie by seven points, 40%-33%, and has a 45%-40% approval rating, according to a Fairleigh Dickinson University poll released this morning.   Christie, the former U.S. Attorney who announced yesterday that he would run for Governor, is unknown to more than half (56%) of the New Jerseyans polled.

In head-to-heads against other Republican candidates, Corzine leads former Bogota Mayor Steven Lonegan, 46%-28%, and Assemblyman Rick Merkt (R-Mendham) by a 43%-23% margin.  Lonegan is unknown to 71% of the state, while 89% don't recognize Merkt.  A fourth candidate, Franklin Township Mayor Brian Levine, was not included in the survey.

In a Republican primary matchup, Christie leads Lonegan 32%-15%, with Merkt running third at 5%. 

Christie has a 50% name ID among Republicans, while Lonegan is at 44% and Merkt is at 14%.

Corzine has favorable of 42%-44%.  Christie is at 23%-6%, while Lonegan is at 9%-8% and Merkt is at 4%-3%.  Among Republicans, Christie's favorable are at 32%-2%, while Lonegan is at 18%-10% and Merkt is at 7%-2%.

Editor can be reached via email at editor@politicsnj.com.