Of 603 likely voters polled, 28 percent said they will cast their vote next month in support of the governor, while 26 percent said they will vote to oppose him
Gov. Chris Christie smiles as he takes questions during a Statehouse news conference last week. Voters' opinions of the governor will play a significant role of how they vote in November's legislative elections, a recent poll found.TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie says the legislative elections next month won’t be a referendum on him, but more than half of New Jersey likely voters disagree, according to a newly released Rutgers-Eagleton poll.
Of 603 likely voters polled, 28 percent said they will cast their vote next month in support of the governor, while 26 percent said they will vote to oppose him, while 42 percent said the governor won’t effect their vote.
Christie is not on the ballot, but all 120 state lawmakers are. Because Democrats prevailed in redrawing the state’s legislative districts earlier this year, they’re expected to maintain control of the state Senate and Assembly. Only a few races this year are considered to be truly up-for-grabs for either party.
“Legislative elections usually have low turnout, so it’s hard to know who will actually vote,” said poll director David Redlawsk. “If we think of Christie as a motivator and assume those voters are much more likely to turn out, Republicans may surprise with some upsets. Of course, our results are a statewide overview and can’t tell us about individual races that may turn on local dynamics.”
At a press conference Wednesday, Christie said the next referendum on him won’t be until 2013 – if at all. “The only time there will be a referendum in this state is if I decide to run for reelection," he said.
Fifty percent of likely voters would prefer the Legislature remain under Democratic control as a check to Gov. Chris Christie, while 40 percent want to see both houses switch over to Republican.
The poll was conducted from Oct. 6 – Oct. 9, with a margin of error for the likely voter sample of plus or minus 4 percent.
Related coverage:
• Polls: Christie's popularity boosted during calls to run for president
• Poll: Gov. Christie, Pres. Obama more popular among N.J. residents since August
• N.J. Democrats criticize Christie, foreshadowing battle in upcoming elections
• N.J. legislative election season nears home stretch as candidates step up campaign efforts