Polls: Booker leads in New Jersey race
Updated 9/24/2013 at 2:33pm
Washington (CNN) - The special Senate race in New Jersey is getting tighter, but Democratic nominee Cory Booker still leads his GOP opponent, according to a new poll released Tuesday.
And a separate poll indicates Booker has an even wider lead over former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan, with less than a month to go before the October 16 special election.
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A Quinnipiac University survey shows Booker ahead of Lonegan, 53%-41%, among likely voters. The 12 percentage point difference is narrower than Quinnipaic's poll last month, when Booker had a 54%-29% advantage over Lonegan among registered voters. That poll, however, was taken shortly before the primary and before the candidates became their respective parties' nominees.
While each candidate has the overwhelming support of their respective parties in the new poll, the vote among independents is more divided, with 47% for Booker and 44% for Lonegan.
Pro-Lonegan group American Commitment said the Quinnipiac poll shows Lonegan is closing the gap with Booker.
American Commitment released a new online ad Tuesday with a $20,000 buy that highlights Lonegan's background. According to the ad, Lonegan managed to find success as a businessman "because of the free market economy, because of an opportunity given by business, not by government."
Booker has benefited from stellar fundraising numbers and high profile endorsements. Celebrity heavyweights Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner hosted a Los Angeles fundraiser Monday night for the Newark mayor, following Oprah Winfrey's fundraiser last month.
On Tuesday, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick will hit the campaign trail in New Jersey for Booker.
Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, argued the slimmer gap between Booker and Lonegan could be due to news of increased crime in Newark, as well as Lonegan's accusations that Booker is too preoccupied with his celebrity status.
"Maybe that 'show horse vs. work horse' charge from Republican Steve Lonegan is having an impact," Carroll said.
Another survey, the Stockton Polling Institute poll, shows Booker has a 26 percentage point lead over Lonegan, 58%-32%, among likely voters.
The two candidates are vying to replace the late Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who passed away in June.
The Quinnipiac survey was conducted with 948 New Jersey likely voters over the phone from September 19-22. The poll has a sampling error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.
The Stockton Polling Institute surveyed 812 likely voters in the state over the phone from September 15-21, with a sampling error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.
- CNN Political Editor Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
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So now we know why Christie did not want the senate election at the same time as the election for governor.
So this is why the big fella wanted a separate election.....
"On Tuesday, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick will hit the campaign trail in New Jersey for Booker."
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Hey New Jersey... can you guys do us Massachusetts residents a HUGE favor and keep him there?
Tampa Tim observed:
So now we know why Christie did not want the senate election at the same time as the election for governor.
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If Booker had any political horse sense he would have already thrown his support behind Gov. Christie's opponent, Democrat Barbara Buono, a long time ago. Seeing how Christie has already thrown his support behind Booker's Senate race opponent, Tea Party extremist Lonegan, I don't see how it could possibly hurt his Senate race.
Jinx Tampa Tim! The same thought at the same time!
@Rudy NYC,
Great point about Booker not supporting Buono. Booker first, Democrats second, I guess.
But then, perhaps Booker is friendly with Christie. They appear on the same chat shows often enough.
Fair is Fair
"On Tuesday, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick will hit the campaign trail in New Jersey for Booker."
--–
Hey New Jersey... can you guys do us Massachusetts residents a HUGE favor and keep him there?
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LOL, Fair. My sentiments exactly when Pawlenty was running around the country. Anywhere but Minnesota worked for me.
Fair is Fair
"On Tuesday, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick will hit the campaign trail in New Jersey for Booker."
Hey New Jersey... can you guys do us Massachusetts residents a HUGE favor and keep him there?
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Okay, not a problem. Clinton/Patick 2016. That'll work.
Booker leads in New Jersey race
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I think the phrase goes "No ish Sherlock."
If you aren't a registered voter in NJ, you can kindly keep your opinions to yourself. We'll decide who want to elect...thanks.