Q Poll Finds Strong Support for Christie and Evidence of Some Coattail Potential in Shore, Exurban Districts
By Matt Rooney | The Save Jersey Blog
There’s a new Quinnipiac Poll out this morning, Save Jerseyans
Some highlights?
Chris Christie leads Barbara Buono by huge margins in every region of the state (surprise surprise) and, most interestingly, is ahead of his presumptive Democrat rival among urban voters included in the poll by a 12-point margin. I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting to see that last point come true on Election Day, but if Buono’s support remains that weak in urban centers through the fall, then she might as well hang it up now.
Meanwhile, on the legislative front, voters prefer the GOP in the upcoming legislative elections in the Philly region (42% to 41%), the Shore (51% to 33%) and the exurbs (51% to 34%), while Democrats hold a 10-point suburban lead and a large urban lead. It all translates to a narrow 43% to 42% Republican statewide advantage.
That’s somewhat comforting news for Democrats in the North Jersey suburbs (LD38, LD18, LD14) considering the large drop off of support between the popular incumbent governor and a GOP legislature, but positively frightening news for Democrats with rural/Shore districts (LD1 and LD2) dominated by the Philly media market. This polls suggests Christie’s coattails might just be enough to produce some upsets there.
Last but not least, this Q survey found strong support for gay marriage in New Jersey, and backing for a pro-gay marriage law even among Republicans (47% to 46%) and black citizens (70% to 27%) despite traditional opposition within these groups.
Could strong turnout for a gay marriage ballot initiative (coupled with another one for the minimum wage) counteract Christie’s turnout advantage by November?
We’ll have to wait and see. There’s also plenty more to discover in this rather comprehensive survey. Click here to read the full poll results and data tables.
