The Star-Ledger endorsement of independent Christopher Daggett could violate state regulations that prohibit debate sponsors from endorsing candidates before the completion of the debate.  In their application to sponsor the October 16 gubernatorial debate, the Star-Ledger agreed to not endorse a candidate for Governor until after the debate was over.

The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), in their published regulations on gubernatorial debate sponsorship (N.J.A.C. 19:25-15.50) states that "to be eligible for selection by the Commission to sponsor one or both of the gubernatorial general election debates, an organization... must not have endorsed any candidate in the pending general election for the office of Governor and must agree not to make any such endorsement until the completion of any debate sponsored by the organization."

Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine, Republican Christopher Christie and Daggett are set to debate on Friday at William Paterson University.  The debate will be streamed live on FoxNews.com, and aired on Saturday on WXTF-TV Channel 29 in Philadelphia and on Sunday on WOR-TV in New York.  The Star-Ledger, The Record and the Herald News, which all share content on state politics, are also sponsors.