Christie Trounces Buono In Latest Poll

Gov. Chris Christie continues to trounce Democratic challenger Barbara Buono 2-1 among New Jersey voters, according to a poll released Thursday.

Christie leads Buono 58 to 30 percent, according to the latest Quinnipiac poll. Christie's commanding lead has remained unchanged after months of polling.

Even in strongly Democratic urban areas, Buono just barely edges out Christie 43 to 42 percent, according to the poll, and 30 percent of those who identified themselves as Democrats said they would choose Christie.

Buono leads 57 to 30 percent among Democrats, while Christie leads 91 to 4 percent among Republicans and 66 to 22 percent among independent voters. He leads 62 to 27 percent among men and 56 to 34 percent among women, according to the poll.

"The big election is still the race between Gov. Christopher Christie and State Sen. Barbara Buono and the governor's 2-1 lead remains undented after months of polling," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Sen. Buono is down 3-1 among independent voters and even loses 30 percent of Democratic voters to Christie. There's no point even counting Republicans." 

Christie’s popularity does not extend beyond him, however. Only 20 percent of voters say Christie's backing would make them more likely to vote for that candidate, with 17 percent saying less likely and 60 percent saying it wouldn't make a difference, according to the poll.

Buono is also no help to Democrats. The poll found that 15 percent of voters are less likely to support a Buono-backed candidate, with 11 percent more likely and 70 percent who say it wouldn't make a difference. 

Few of those polled were jazzed about either of the lieutenant governor picks.

Only 15 percent of New Jersey voters say Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno would make a good governor, if necessary, while 7 percent say she couldn't fill Christie's shoes and 77 percent say they don't know enough about her to decide.

For Milly Silva, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, 90 percent don't know enough to decide if she could step into the top job, the poll says.

"Electing a lieutenant governor was New Jersey's answer to the succession problem. But it hasn't meant much in terms of recognition," Carroll said. "No one knows Milly Silva, and most people don't even know the incumbent, Kim Guadagno, and she's had the job for four years." 

Quinnipiac University surveyed 2,042 New Jersey voters between Aug. 1 – 5. The poll has a margin of error of 2.2 percentage points.