October 22, 2009
Posted: October 22nd, 2009 11:27 AM ET

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A new poll of New Jersey voters suggests independent candidate Chris Daggett, center, continues to make gains.
A new poll of New Jersey voters suggests independent candidate Chris Daggett, center, continues to make gains.

(CNN) - A new poll of New Jersey voters suggests independent candidate Chris Daggett continues to make gains in that state's highly competitive gubernatorial race, primarily peeling support away from Republican challenger Chris Christie in campaign's final days.

Daggett, whom the Newark Star-Ledger surprisingly endorsed earlier this month, stands at 20 percent in the new survey conducted by Rutgers University, the highest level of support the former administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency has registered in any poll of the race to date.

Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine meanwhile holds a narrow lead over Christie, the state's former district attorney, 39 percent to 36 percent. But given the poll's 4 percentage point sampling error, the two are statistically tied.

"A rule of thumb among political junkies says that that the actual vote for a third-party candidate tends to be roughly half of what that candidate was getting in pre-election polls around Labor Day," said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "But Daggett has been gaining ground since those Labor Day polls, so he may be one of the few independents who finishes strong and has a significant impact on the final results."

If nothing else, Daggett's growing support could mean the ultimate victor wins with less than 40 percent of the vote, a reflection of how unsatisfied New Jersey voters appear to be with all three candidates.

The Rutgers survey also shows both Christie and Corzine have net negative approval ratings and voters are deeply concerned with taxes, unemployment, and corruption in the state.

The poll of 583 likely voters was conducted October 15-20.

Filed under: Chris Christie • Chris Daggett • Jon Corzine • New Jersey


Jay T.   October 22nd, 2009 12:58 pm ET

YEAH! Whoo! Rally around your Party, Republicans, with a pocket full of shells! And, rally around the Corporate giants of the world, Republicans, because they have used your ignorance to take over this Country! Who-hoo! We are 20% of this country strong- same number of people who believe Obama is not a natural born citizen!

Hammerer   October 22nd, 2009 12:58 pm ET

If anyone has been listening the vast majority of American citizens are not happy with anyone in congress. If the news media would report the news this would be common knowledge. The only way that the PEOPLE can ever control their own lives is to remove every politican that votes for a party and ignores the will of the people that they are supposed to represent.
If the media would do it's job and be journalist and stop being chearleaders the truth could come out.
But the Dear Leader and his enforcers do not allow that!

Moses   October 22nd, 2009 12:57 pm ET

Don't worry dems, Corzine was able to buy the office with his vast fortune and will do so again.

Proud Member..Party of No   October 22nd, 2009 12:56 pm ET

If you don't watch Fox News, you're not getting the whole story.

Emmanuel Goldstein   October 22nd, 2009 12:48 pm ET

For all those bashing Christie and the GOP: Please move to NJ!!! Buy my house in my blue ribbon town with great schools. As liberals, I know the taxes and one-party rule won't bother you nearly as much as they bother me. And I promise we will move out of NJ. Any takers?

Carl in MI   October 22nd, 2009 12:48 pm ET

Anybody but a Republican!! Time to kick all of them to the curb. They all talk about fiscal responsibility only in the last 10 months... funny not a single one of them uttered a word in the 8 years that Dubya was President!! Where was your fiscal responsibility then, when Bush was putting everything on the Federal Credit Card and not paying for anything??

All of a sudden... they're all 'born-again' when it comes to fiscal responsibility!! And when you confront them on the issue.... all they'll say is 'Obama is a Socialist'.

When did STOOPID become an admirable quality in a political party, all you GOP people? Wise up...

Peter s   October 22nd, 2009 12:43 pm ET

I can't imagine anyone of a sound mind can get into the booth and vote for the pathetic republicans!!

Jersey Boys   October 22nd, 2009 12:39 pm ET

The Conservatives have really hurt this country, and this state!!

But, no more, as long as i can vote, there will be no more of the wool being pulled over the eyes of this state!!!

They call me "tater salad"   October 22nd, 2009 12:39 pm ET

This country needs a third party like an ear infection!

KD   October 22nd, 2009 12:38 pm ET

Corzine already screwed up the job. Christie should be in jail. So Daggett is easily the best candidate. Unfortunately he is third party which is why people are hesitant to vote for him.

Doug, New Jersey   October 22nd, 2009 12:34 pm ET

All the mafia/union/gov libs will vote Corizine, the mafia wannabes will vote for the Democrat as they always do, and the I'm white and I hate whitey liberals will flock to the lib again too.

Sorry, this is like 80% of New Jersey, most people are so full of hate, dishoensty, and lack values and morals, and these people are always loyal Democrats since the party represents cronieism, extortion, crime, and lies. If you notice that a soccer mom with a van filled with kids does not heistate to try and run you off the road, cut you off, swerve into another lane suddenly with no warning or blinker, or pulls right out in front of you, then you are in a blue state and will always vote Democrat, this is just how New Jersey is.

Garland   October 22nd, 2009 12:34 pm ET

Awesome! We need a third party........

AskMe   October 22nd, 2009 12:33 pm ET

A vote for Dagget is a vote for Christie.

How can anyone possibly vote for Corzine. Our state's property taxes are the HIGHEST IN THE NATION. Our state's unemployment rate is ridiculous. It is the highest amoung all the states in the region. Corzine's high taxes have driven business out of New Jersey. How can anyone possible vote for Corzine. it doesn't make sense. Educate yourselves people. Do not listen to media rhetoric. Vote for Christie so we can get this state back on track.

Rich   October 22nd, 2009 12:33 pm ET

Christie might have had a runaway here if only he had 1. a basic understanding of the budget problems of this state and 2. a plan to deal with it.

Regardless of the final outcome, Christie has run one of the most inept campaigns I have ever seen, and I am a huge political junkie.

Randi L.   October 22nd, 2009 12:26 pm ET

Wasn't that long ago that an independent candidate named Jesse Ventura won the governorship of Minnesota with 37% of the vote in a 3-way race because of voter dissatisfaction with the R & D candidates.

It's not outside of the realm of possibility that Daggett could do the same thing, if he has the funding and the campaign smarts to take advantage of the situation in the last 1 1/2 weeks.

RTB   October 22nd, 2009 12:19 pm ET

In response to the "Republicans need to Rally" comment. Silly perspective, particularly in light of the fact that its the republican philosophy that has gotten us into such a mess. This is not a "GAME" as the writer suggests, we are addressing serious times needing serious people.

Fair is Fair   October 22nd, 2009 12:19 pm ET

I hope Corzine wins. America needs a laughing stock state and NJ is the perfect candidate.

Obama 2.0   October 22nd, 2009 12:18 pm ET

Go Independents!!!

Ellis   October 22nd, 2009 12:17 pm ET

I have no regrets about moving out of (escaping from?) NJ. I have no doubt that the electorate will vote for the candidate that they most deserve.

Bush's Favorite Things Blanky, Bikey & Nappy   October 22nd, 2009 12:15 pm ET

Hmm ... Maybe if CNN spent more time reporting actual news rather than polls they would really earn a reputation as "the most trusted name" in news.

Paul   October 22nd, 2009 12:14 pm ET

Independent Candidate are any day better than Republican Candidates.

Republican Party Ideologies are Failed and Bogus.

File under "Sarcasm"   October 22nd, 2009 12:13 pm ET

Once again, the conservative purists will let the Liberal win rather than compromise to support a less than perfect conservative candidate. They will thus deserve what they get.

Bob in Pa   October 22nd, 2009 12:11 pm ET

Lived in Jersey for a few years, never ever want to go back !
Can't even pump ypur own gas there because of Govt restrictions.

Republicans NEED to rally!   October 22nd, 2009 12:08 pm ET

Republicans have GOT to get in the GAME! We're ALL totally UNITED – KEEP it up! Let's donate our time/money and as obama says... "get in their faces." Let's take obama's message and get Republicans in the office!

Grady, NE   October 22nd, 2009 12:05 pm ET

I want Corzine to win and do better in respect to crime and misappropriation of funds in the government.

Bob in Pa   October 22nd, 2009 12:04 pm ET

You sometimes wonder if Dems finance third party canidates to do this. If it wasn't for Ross Perot, there might not have been some Dem Presidents.

Pee Wee   October 22nd, 2009 11:59 am ET

I hope Daggett wins! i don't have a "dog in the fight" since I don't live in New Jersey and could really care less if they continue their destructive ways and put Corzine back in. But, for their own good, I hope they get the non-party affiliated candidate. That would be some welcomed change.

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA   October 22nd, 2009 11:48 am ET

Christie is in trouble.

ANGIE IN PA   October 22nd, 2009 11:46 am ET

NJ Is a Blue State and it will stay that way, no way are they gonna put Christie in. he is way to linked to Bush! They may not be happy with Corzine but at the end of the day THEY AINT VOTING FOR A BUSH REPUBLICAN.

Vets4Obama   October 22nd, 2009 11:46 am ET

Conservatives will vote for the moron, every time. Liberals will pick the most capable candidate, which is NEVER a conservative nor a republican. History proves republicans and conservatives RUIN Countries, States and Cities.

RCasson   October 22nd, 2009 11:41 am ET

I'm in CA, but I'm rooting for you Mr. Corzine!!!!

ANONYMOUS   October 22nd, 2009 11:40 am ET

Good news! If NJ votes in the loser Corzine, that totally corrupt state will not longer have a right to complain!

i want my finger back   October 22nd, 2009 11:39 am ET

concervatives will look at independents, liberals will just do what they are told and vote for corzine.

Jay T.   October 22nd, 2009 11:35 am ET

Dude's pulling a Ralph Nader. Awesome! The disappointment for the Conserva-bots in the upcoming election cycles begins...NOW!

Jodi Hicks-Trick   October 22nd, 2009 11:33 am ET

Why doesn't this man just go away? You rarely heard a peep from him when our taxes were paying his wages. Do we really care what he has to say now?

NJ   October 22nd, 2009 11:29 am ET

new jersey taxes are crazy high!! How is anyone suppose to make it in this state with such high taxes?

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