The Importance of New Jersey's Gubernatorial Race

All eyes are on New Jersey and Virginia this year as the 2009 gubernatorial races begin to gain momentum as the November 3 Election Day approaches. As one of only two states with major races this year, many pundits have argued that the outcome of the New Jersey election, as well as the result of the gubernatorial election in Virginia, could have national implications. The race between current Gov. Jon Corzine and former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie has been heating up since the June 2 party primaries and has been heavily focused on Corzine’s experience versus Christie’s political outsider status. Recent polling suggests that Corzine is vulnerable. However, people familiar with the unconventional politics of New Jersey know the road is long and literally anything can happen. This is certainly a race to watch as November draws near.

Expect to see larger national issues like healthcare, labor initiatives, and tax-and-spend policies come into play heavily throughout the race. 

 

 

Gov. Jon Corzine was first elected in 2005, after serving New Jersey in the United States Senate. In the June 2 gubernatorial primary, Corzine easily won the nomination for his re-election bid of his party taking 77 percent of the Democratic primary vote. On the Republican side, former U.S. attorney, Chris Christie, received 55 percent of the vote in a hard fought three-way primary. The general election has also drawn several Independent candidates. Outside groups came into play during the primary, running media campaigns and grassroots efforts statewide on both sides of the aisle, a sure sign of the competitive path that lies ahead.

 

 

Both candidates have extensive credentials both inside and outside of the New Jersey political scene. Corzine comes from a business and finance background, having served as both co-chairman and co-CEO of Goldman Sachs during the early 1990s. In 2000, he was elected to replace then-retiring Sen. Frank Lautenberg in the United States Senate. He was elected governor in 2005, with 53 percent of the vote.

 

Chris Christie built his career as a crime-buster and corruption fighter. He was appointed U.S. Attorney in 2002 and served until late 2008. Christie is known for his hard stance on public corruption, taking on powerful leaders at all levels of state and local government. Prior to his stint as U.S. Attorney, he served as a Freeholder in Morris County.

 

New Jersey is in a unique position this year, as it will be the first time a lieutenant governor will be elected to serve. Corzine recently announced that he has selected powerful state Sen. Loretta Weinberg, who hails from North Jersey, as his running mate. Christie continued to strengthen his image as a Trenton outsider by choosing current Monmouth County Sheriff Kim Guadagno to run as his lieutenant governor.

 

 

Much like the gubernatorial race in Virginia, this race will be exciting to watch. New Jersey’s unique gubernatorial history, which led to the constitutional amendment in 2005 creating the lieutenant governor’s position, is the stuff of both fodder and curiosity for political insiders. While off-year election results can carry huge implications going into a crucial midterm election, New Jersey’s anything-can-happen political culture makes reading the tea leaves a little harder. However, with the economy being the main focus of voters in New Jersey, a Republican win could signal voters’ displeasure with spend-and-tax policies and big government. Similarly, a Democratic win could signal support for both the Administration and Congress. As Nov. 3 draws closer, these issues will likely garner a lot of national attention.

 

Stay tuned to NFIB.com for important news and developments leading up to the election.

 

 

Election Day: Nov. 3. Polls open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Last Day to Register to Vote: Oct. 13

Deadline to Apply for Absentee Ballot by Mail: Oct. 27

Deadline to Apply for Absentee Ballot in Person: Nov. 2

 

Visit the New Jersey Division of Elections to register to vote and learn more about the election, or contact them at:

 

New Jersey Division of Elections
225 West State Street
3rd Floor
Trenton, N.J. 08608

Telephone: (609) 292-3760

Toll Free: 1-877-NJVOTER

Fax: (609) 777-1280