For Republicans, the outlook in New Jersey keeps looking better and better:
New Jersey voters disapprove 54 – 37 percent of the job Gov. Jon Corzine is doing, the highest disapproval ever measured for a New Jersey Governor, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. The Democratic incumbent trails former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie, a Republican challenger in this year’s Governor’s race, while he ties former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan.
Corzine had a 52 – 38 percent disapproval June 11, 2008. Former Gov. James McGreevy also hit a 52 percent disapproval once.
In this latest survey, Democrats approve of Corzine 61 – 28 percent, but he gets negative scores of 83 – 13 percent from Republicans and 62 – 32 percent from independent voters.
Voters disapprove 58 – 32 percent of the way Corzine is handling the economy and 50 percent of voters say things in New Jersey are worse since he was elected Governor.
In his bid for a second term, Corzine trails Christie 45 – 38 percent, compared to Christie’s 46 – 37 percent lead March 12. Today, Democrats back Corzine 73 – 12 percent, while Christie leads 90 – 3 percent among Republicans and 50 – 31 percent among independent voters.
Lonegan ties Corzine 41 – 41 percent, leading 81 – 7 percent among Republicans and 45 – 32 percent among independent voters, while Corzine leads 77 – 10 percent among Democrats.
“The economy is killing Gov. Jon Corzine’s approval rating in New Jersey so much that he is vulnerable not only to a strong challenger such as Chris Christie but a lesser known Republican such as Mayor Steve Lonegan,” said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
It’s early, obviously, but at this point, Republicans appear to have a great shot at going 2-for-2 in governor’s races, with Bob McDonnell leading by healthy margins in Virginia.