Quinnipiac

Gov. Jon Corzine has an upside-down approval rating, but the worst numbers in the region belong to New York Gov. David Paterson.  A Quinnipiac University poll released today shows Paterson with a 28%-60% approval rating, with 63% of New York voters saying he should not seek re-election.  In a general election poll, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani leads Paterson 53%-32%.  State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo leads Giuliani 53%-36%.

The most devesating number in today's Quinnipiac University poll for Governor Jon Corzine is not his upside-down approval rating or his trailing Republican Christopher Christie by nine points -- it is voter approvals on his handling of the economy.  More than half the voters (56%) disapprove of the way Corzine has handled the economy, while 31% approve.  Among Independent voters, he is upside-down on economic issues, 27%-60%.

Asked if during the economic crisis New Jersey should be led by  businessman like Corzine or a new face like Christie, 37% said a businessman and 49% said a new face.  Among Independents, it was 53%-31% for a new face.  Among New Jerseyans without a college degree, it was 54%-32%, and among senior citizens, it was 51%-33% in favor of a new face. In South Jersey, it was 54%-49% new face over businessman.

Chris Christie has a 37%-46% lead over Gov. Jon Corzine in today's Quinnipiac University poll.  Christie leads Corzine 49%-31% among Independents, 51%-34% among men, 41%-39% among women, and 54%-30% among white voters.  Corzine leads 74%-14% among Black voters.

Republicans back Christie 87%-4%, while Democrats support Corzine, albeit with less intensity, 69%-14%.

Both of New Jersey's Democratic United States Senators remain popular, according to today's Quinnipiac University poll.  Frank Lautenberg has a 47%-37% approval rating, while Robert Menendez is at 41%-33%.

Former Bogota Mayor Steven Lonegan has gained in his bid to win the Republican nomination for Governor.  In a Quinnipiac University matchup of Republican primary contenders, former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie leads Lonegan by 21 points, 40%-19%.  For Lonegan, those numbers are an improvement: Christie led 44%-17% in a February 4 Quinnipiac poll.

While Christie has a nine-point lead over the Democratic Governor, Jon Corzine, Lonegan’s numbers are not too shabby for a Republican in March with 29% statewide name ID.  Lonegan trails Corzine by just four points, 41%-37%.

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Chris Christie leads Jon Corzine, by nine points, 46%-37%, in the race for Governor

Republican Christopher Christie has a nine percentage point lead, 46%-37%, over Gov. Jon Corzine in the race for Goveror of New Jersey, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll released early this morning.  Christie led Corzine by six points last month, and a Fairliegh Dickinson University poll also out Chrisie nine points ahead. 

Corzine has an upside-down approval rating of 40%-50%, about the same as his standing five weeks ago.  The governor has favorables of 38%-50%, also upside-down.  Just 31% approve of the way Corzine is handling the economy, while 56% say they disapprove.

This poll was in the field from March 4-9 and does not affect voter attitudes after Corzine delivered his budget address to a joint session of the New Jersey Legislature on Tuesday.

“There are no good numbers for Gov. Jon Corzine in this poll, and since it was taken before his Draconian budget was released, his numbers could be even worse today,” said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “Chris Christie continues to widen his lead over Jon Corzine in the race for Governor and this poll indicates Christie could become stronger once he gets better known.”

In a Republican gubernatorial primary matchup, Christie, the former U.S. Attorney, leads former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan by 21 points, 40%-19%.  Franklin Mayor Brian D. Levine is at 3%, and Assemblyman Rick Merkt (R-Mendham) is at 1%.

Christie has favorables of 31%-7%, with more than six out of ten voters have no yet heard of him.  Lonegan is at 15%-17%, with 77% of voters unaware of his candidacy. 

Lonegan trails Corzine by four points, with Corzine holding a 41%-37% lead over the leader of the state's conservative GOP movement.

Asked if Corzine deserved a second term as Governor, 34% said yes and 53% said no.

Quinnipiac University will release a new poll tomorrow that includes a Gov. Jon Corzine’s job approval rating and a head-to-head matchup between Corzine and Republican Christopher Christie. The poll was in the field March 4-9 and does not reflect Corzine's budget message.

New Jersey voters are split 47%-48% on reducing or eliminating property tax rebates for everyone but senior citizens and the disabled, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll released this morning.  The most intense opposition to changes in the rebate system come from low income voters, whose rebates have been protected by Gov. Jon Corzine’s budget proposal.  

By a 64%-33% margin, voters support an income tax increase for New Jerseyans making more than $250,000 a year.  Not surprisingly, voters in that income group oppose the plan by a 66%-33% margin.

“One of the most controversial budget proposals, reducing or eliminating property tax rebates for most residents except the elderly and disabled, divides the voters right down the middle, not only overall but by political party as well,” said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.  “Perhaps this cow is not so sacred after all.”

New Jerseyans are split 47%-47% on Corzine’s plan to furlough state workers.  By a 65%-32% margin, voters back a plan to raise taxes on alcohol.  They support a plan to hike cigarette taxes by a 75%-23% margin.

Quinnipiac University will release a new poll on property tax rebates and other budget issues tomorrow morning.  Click here to view a February Quinnipiac poll on the national economic stimulus plan.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie received the endorsement of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani today. Behind the two ex-Prosecutors is Maxwell Place, the condominium where Gov. Jon Corzine lives.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani today endorsed Christopher Christie for the Republican nomination for Governor.  Giuliani came to Hoboken this afternoon to announce his support for his fellow former U.S. Attorney.  

"Chris is a decisive leader who knows how to make the tough decisions. He will make New Jersey prosperous by cutting taxes, eliminating wasteful spending and bringing jobs back to the state," said Giuliani, who served as Mayor from 1994 to 2002.  "And Chris Christie has a plan to revitalize New Jersey's cities by bringing new jobs here, challenging failing school districts and making the streets safer. Chris is a bold leader who will bring real change to New Jersey."  

Last week, Christie won the support of the New Jersey GOP's leading elder statesman, former Gov. Thomas Kean.  The former federal prosecutor and Morris County Freeholder has announced endorsements from nearly 600 Republican party leaders and elected officials since entering the race on February 4.  A Quinnipiac University poll released the day Christie announced showed him with a 44%-38% lead over the Democratic incumbent, Jon Corzine.  

"I am humbled to have the support of Mayor Giuliani, whose strong leadership made New York City a better place and positively affected the lives of so many New Jerseyans," said Christie. "In these trying times, I will be the leader our state needs to make the tough decisions necessary to get New Jersey back on track."