New Poll Finds New Jersey Governor Race in Dead Heat

The highly contentious race for New Jersey's next governor is a virtual tie, according to new poll released Friday.

A Fairleigh Dickinson University survey shows that 41 percent of likely New Jersey voters back Republican Chris Christie, a former federal prosecutor, while 39 percent favor Jon Corzine, the state's incumbent governor who is seeking a second term.

Fourteen percent of respondents support independent candidate Chris Daggett.

The telephone poll of 694 likely voters was taken Oct. 22-28 and has a sampling error margin of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Christie leads Corzine 42 percent to 35 percent on the question of "which candidate better understands the concerns of the average person," but the candidates are even on the question of which is more trustworthy, the poll found. Corzine leads 48 percent to 33 percent on the question of which candidate "has the background and experience to be a good governor."

Christie's two point lead, while within the poll's margin of error, shows an increasingly tight race ahead of Tuesday's election.

"At this point, anyone who says their vote doesn't count is mistaken," Peter Woolley, a political scientist and director of the poll, said in a press release.

"The governor is struggling against a tide of discontent, and if his base weren't so large to begin with, he might be sunk," he said.

In an effort to boost Corzine's chances, the White House has stepped in to campaign in the race, which it sees as a critical win ahead of the 2010 midterm elections.

President Obama has campaigned vigorously for Corzine in the state -- including launching television and radio ads in his support.

Corzine trailed Christie considerably during the summer months, prompting political observers to speculate whether the White House would pressure that Corzine be replaced with a more viable candidate.

Click here to see the Fairleigh Dickinson University survey.