[Updated below, 10:07 p.m.] 9:15 p.m. Republican Chris Christie has taken an early lead in a tight New Jersey governor’s race with Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine. With 32 percent of precincts reporting tonight, Christie has 51 percent of the vote and Corzine about 42.Independent candidate Chris Daggett, who had been feared as a spoiler, has about 5 percent.
An Associated Press exit poll showed that the race was too close too call but that Daggett appeared to be out of the running.
In Ocean County, with over 90% of the votes counted, Christie has received 65.61% of the vote, while Corzine has received just 28.40% of the vote.
10:07 p.m.: CHRISTIE WINS
Republican Chris Christie has defeated Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine in New Jersey. With 71 percent of precincts reporting, Christie had 50 percent of the vote to Corzine’s 44 percent. Christie, a 47-year-old former federal prosecutor, has become the first member of his party in a dozen years to win a statewide contest in heavily Democratic New Jersey.
The Republican victory deals a blow to President Barack Obama as he readies for next year’s midterm elections. Obama campaigned heavily for Corzine.
Christie accepted public financing in the race against the wealthy incumbent and was outspent by more than $12 million.
He ran on a platform of smaller government and criticized Corzine for what he called poor economic stewardship. State unemployment was nearly 10 percent in October and property taxes are the nation’s highest.
{Noam Amdurski-Matzav.com Newscenter/Agencies}
deedun natzach!
The real lesson from all this is we should stay out of politics.
We only lose- whoever wins and regardless if we are right or wrong.
I cannot fathom that the Ribbono Shel Olam is proud of us right now.
I didn’t vote because that was the only way of not being part of either problem.
Now we can tell Corzine that “it’s a big fat win” for Christie.
to # 2 get lost