Christie endorsement strengthens Romney's chances of winning N.J. party support in '12
By Wally EdgeMitt Romney's decision to pick a horse in the New Jersey Republican gubernatorial primary likely accomplishes two things: it boosts former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie's standing among conservatives, and it strengthens Romney's chances of picking up organizational and fundraising support in New Jersey if he seeks the 2012 GOP nomination for President.
Christie leads former Bogota Mayor Steven Lonegan, who has been the de facto leader of the conservative wing of the New Jersey GOP for the last six years, by 23 percentage points, according to a poll released last week by Quinnipiac University. Christie has appealed to conservative Republican primary voters through endorsements from other conservatives, including U.S. Rep. Christopher Smith (R-Hamilton), whose seal of approval among pro-life voters is important.
In 2008, John McCain carried New Jersey's winner-take-all primary, defeating Romney 55%-28%. Rudy Giuliani, a strong Christie supporter, had dominated the early New Jersey endorsement game; after his withdrawal, most of his support went to McCain.
Unless the Legislature changes the law, New Jersey is still looking at an early 2012 Republican presidential primary. And the state continues to provide a wealth of early campaign contributions in national elections.
Contributors
Wally Edge
Attorney General Anne Milgram had already decided she would leave her post when Gov. Jon Corzine lost his bid for re-election. She has been ... >
Bob Torricelli
The contest for Governor of New Jersey might be the most visible but in the long term it might not be the most important. Long after our youngest ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
Political discourse in America contains much in the way of intellect or intellectual honesty. One considers the Federalist Papers with wistful awe: ... >
Jeff Michaels
Governor-elect Christopher J. Christie. How sweet it is for the thousands of volunteers who worked since February to support this great man for NJ ... >
Richard LaRossa
With a convincing win in defeating an encumbent Governor, why were there no coattails? >
Alan Steinberg
Within 24 hours after the election of Chris Christie as Governor, the battle was joined between the Governor-elect and the New Jersey Education ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
I am often asked by my students, friends and even reporters why campaigns in New Jersey are so nasty and why candidates rely so heavily on negative ... >
Carla Katz
It was a dark and stormy November night. An icy wind whistled through leafless moonlit trees. A loud thud is followed by a piercing scream. A ... >
Joey Novick
Patrick Murray is the founding director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute. According to their website, “The Monmouth University ... >
Murray Sabrin
According to the latest SurveyUSA and Rutgers Eagleton polls, independent gubernatorial candidate Chris Daggett has the support of 19% and 20% of ... >
Poll
Hot Topics
Most Active Stories
- Christie elected Governor, defeats Corzine by 106,000 votes; GOP picks up one Assembly seat
- Newark North Ward report
- Christie elected Governor, defeats Corzine by 106,000 votes; GOP picks up one Assembly seat
- Yudin basks in Bergen wins
- Corzine's Middlesex meltdown
- Christie says first executive order will freeze unfunded mandates and regulations
- Christie names Samson and Chiesa to head transition team
- GOP leaders rejoice in Christie's ability to unify, while Dems still skeptical
- Payne guardedly optimistic in South Ward
- Next GOP target: McNerney
- Yudin basks in Bergen wins
- Christie elected Governor, defeats Corzine by 106,000 votes; GOP picks up one Assembly seat
- Next GOP target: McNerney
- Amid rumors of departure to Christie cabinet, DeCroce re-elected minority leader
- Woodbyrne: Here's how we won
- Christie says first executive order will freeze unfunded mandates and regulations
- On a bad night, Democrats pull off huge win in 1st district
- Corzine concedes loss in bid for re-election
- GOP leaders rejoice in Christie's ability to unify, while Dems still skeptical
- Gusciora blasts bosses for not focusing more intently on Corzine re-election
- Quinnipiac: Christie leads 50%-40%
- Quinnipiac poll has Christie ahead by 4 points as Corzine gets closer
- Christie, in West New York, takes questions
- Gore makes his case for Corzine
- Potential LG rivals Allen and Weinberg ally for county committee reform legislation
- Final debate schedule
- Torricelli on making perfection the enemy of good
- Autistic man seeks Assembly seat in 37th
- Jeb Bush attends Christie fundraiser
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
Quote of the Day
"Please. I wouldn't have enough paper. So let’s not even bother writing one. This is now about governing. I won. The one thing I could never understand about people in politics was winners who are sore winners." -- Gov.-elect Christopher Christie, on putting together an enemis list.
“He’s a nice man with good intentions, but in the end he’ll be remembered for timidity. Being a business titan and issuing orders from the corner office is a lot different than having to cajole and persuade people in politics and having the toughness and fortitude to see your vision become reality.”-- Ross K. Baker, a political scientist at Rutgers University, on Gov. Jon Corzine.
Recent Press Releases
- Nov 6 2009
- Nov 2 2009
Syndicate
