New Jersey Governor's Race Goes Down to the Wire
A Quinnipiac University poll released today showed Republican candidate Chris Christie winning with 42 percent of the vote, with Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine trailing him at 40 percent, the New Jersey Star-Ledger reports. The difference falls within the poll's 2.5 percent margin of error. Independent candidate Chris Daggett carried 12 percent of the vote.
Meanwhile, a Fairleigh Dickinson University poll also released today also showed Corzine winning with 43 percent of the vote while Christie trailed at 41 percent -- a difference within this poll's 3 percent margin of error. Daggett stood at 8 percent.
It is generally believed Daggett is siphoning votes away from Christie. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin alluded to as much when she took a shot at Daggett on her Facebook page yesterday, writing, "I've never even suggested he should drop out of the race. But, come to think of it…"
New Jersey Republicans today accused state Democrats of trying to push more wayward Republicans toward Daggett with a robocall, the Star-Ledger reports.
Republicans in the state report receiving a robocall that chastises Christie for being "extremely wrong when it matters most." The voice on the call says, "remember Chris Daggett's words: 'It's never wrong to vote for the right person.'"
With the race as close as it is, the campaigns are preparing for a possible recount, RealClearPolitics reports. There is no automatic trigger that would require a recount after the election, but the candidates have 15 days to ask county officials to double-check their tallies.
More Coverage of this Race:
Off-Year Elections: Just Like Preseason Games
Corzine Gains Momentum in Tight N.J. Race
Has Corzine Pulled Ahead?
Can Obama Help Corzine in New Jersey?
By the Numbers: Election Trends and Demographics
Washington Unplugged: An interview with Chris Daggett
