Chris Christie Wins New Jersey Governor's Race

By: Kevin Hechtkopf
Topics: 2009 Elections

(AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams )

Updated 2:09 a.m. ET, Nov. 4, 2009

Republican Chris Christie has won the race for governor in New Jersey over Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine and independent Chris Daggett.

As for reasons as to why Corzine lost, CBS News political director Steve Chaggaris notes that his popularity has been dropping for a while.

"Corzine's unpopularity going into Tuesday's election cannot be underestimated," he wrote in his analysis of the race. "Simply put, New Jersey voters have been looking at other options for a while."

Looking at exit polls, independents made up 28 percent of the electorate and backed Christie over Corzine by 60 percent to 30 percent.

"Corzine's performance among independents was 21 points lower than Mr. Obama's last fall when 51 percent of New Jersey independents backed him," CBS Poll Analyst Jennifer De Pinto said. "Also moderates, who made up 45 percent of the electorate, narrowly backed Christie by 48 percent to 45 percent. Mr. Obama won the support of New Jersey moderates last year."

"New Jersey's electorate was older and slightly more conservative than last year. Voters were looking for change, but while change represented the Democrat, Barack Obama a year ago, New Jersey voters saw Christie, the Republican, as the change agent this time around," De Pinto added. (Read more on why Christie won in New Jersey>)

CBSNews.com Election Night Coverage:

Results
All Election Night 2009 Results
Republicans Sweep N.J., Va. Gov. Races
N.Y. Democrat Owens Wins House Seat
Maine Voters Reject Gay Marriage
Breckenridge, Colo., Votes to Legalize Pot

Analysis
What McDonnell's Win Means for the GOP, Obama
Corzine's Fall Has Been Festering for a While
What Doug Hoffman's Loss Means to Conservatives
Lessons for the White House from '09 Election Results
Why Christie Won in New Jersey
McDonnell Won Due to Turnout, Independents
Exit Polls in Va. and N.J.: The Obama (Non) Factor?

Kevin Hechtkopf
Kevin Hechtkopf is CBSNews.com's politics editor.
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by faceofus November 4, 2009 12:00 AM EST

Perhaps these elections will send a message to Obama that he needs to remain in Washington and focus on the economy instead of flying around the country campaigning.

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