A Quinnipiac University poll released this morning shows 56 percent of Garden State registered voters approve of the governor, while 38 percent disapprove
Gov. Chris Christie, seen here speaking in Jersey City, maintains a high approval rating in New Jersey.TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie remains popular with New Jersey voters.
A Quinnipiac University poll released this morning shows 56 percent of Garden State registered voters approve of the governor, while 38 percent disapprove. That’s a statistically insignificant change from last month, when 58 percent approved and 38 percent disapproved.
“Gov. Christopher Christie got a big bump in his job approval last month after he told New Jersey voters they were stuck with him because he wasn’t running for president,” said poll director Maurice Carroll. “Whether it’s his handling of the October snowstorm or just momentum, he’s still flying high. Women don’t like him as much as men, but his one-time huge gender gap has shrunk.”
Christie’s popularity didn’t translate into gains in the state Legislature in last week’s election.
By a 47 percent to 32 percent margin, Republicans felt he worked hard enough. But among all voters, 46 percent felt the lack of gains could mean trouble for his reelection campaign in 2013, while 48 percent think it won’t matter.
Voters are also split on whether they think Christie will have a harder time dealing with the Democrat-controlled Legislature, which gained one seat last week, due to the results.
As Christie’s ratings stay the same, President Obama’s are on the rise. Voters are split 48 percent to 48 percent on whether they approve or disapprove of him. Last month, he had a negative rating, with 43 percent approving and 52 percent disapproving.
Obama also easily beats any Republican put up against him in 2012. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who Christie endorsed, comes closest, with 40 percent to Obama’s 49 percent.
“President Barack Obama’s job approval in blue New Jersey is anemic, to say the least, but he’s doing better than the other guys, and that’s what counts,” said Carroll.
U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, who’s up for reelection next year, 43 percent positive to 34 percent negative approval rating. But when put up against an unnamed Republican candidate, he beats him or her 47 percent to 35 percent.
Quinnipiac surveyed 1,788 registered voters from November 9 – 14. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.3 percentage points. Among the Republican-only sample of 548, the margin of error is 4.2 percentage points.