New Jersey Race for Governor

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE:  Monday 6:00 p.m. November 7, 2005

All references must be sourced WNBC/Marist Poll

 

Contact:           Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Dr. Barbara L. Carvalho

Marist College

845.575.5050

 

This WNBC/Marist Poll reports:

·                    Corzine narrowly leads Forrester with just one day to go:  Democrat Jon Corzine edges Republican Doug Forrester by 5 points among New Jersey voters likely to vote on Tuesday including those who are leaning toward a candidate.  Corzine receives the support of 51% of likely voters compared with 46% for Forrester.  3% remain undecided.

 

Question Wording: If the election for governor were held today, whom would you support if the candidates are:

 

 

 

Doug Forrester Republican

Jon Corzine Democrat

 

Other

 

Undecided

Sunday

 

 

 

 

  Likely Voters w/ Leaners

46%

51%

<1%

  3%

  Likely Voters

45%

51%

<1%

  4%

  Registered Voters

42%

49%

<1%

  9%

Thursday/Friday

 

 

 

 

  Likely Voters

42%

48%

<1%

10%

  Likely Voters w/ Leaners

44%

49%

<1%

  7%

  Registered Voters

38%

48%

  1%

13%

Thursday Only

 

 

 

 

  Likely Voters

42%

46%

<1%

12%

  Likely Voters w/ Leaners

43%

48%

<1%

  9%

  Registered Voters

36%

48%

  1%

15%

 Wednesday Only

 

 

 

 

  Likely Voters

38%

51%

  1%

10%

  Likely Voters w/ Leaners

39%

53%

  1%

  7%

  Registered Voters

35%

47%

  1%

17%

October 28, 2005

 

 

 

 

  Likely Voters

40%

50%

  1%

  9%

  Likely Voters w/ Leaners

41%

51%

  1%

  7%

  Registered Voters

38%

47%

<1%

15%

October 10, 2005

 

 

 

 

  Likely Voters

43%

44%

<1%

13%

  Likely Voters w/ Leaners

45%

47%

<1%

  8%

  Registered Voters

38%

45%

<1%

17%

 

·                    Intensity of voters’ support for candidates is strong:  69% of likely voters who have a preference in the race for governor strongly support their candidate.  26% say they somewhat support their choice, and only 5% say they might vote differently on Election Day.  66% of Doug Forrester’s supporters say they are firmly committed to him compared with 71% of Jon Corzine’s supporters who say they strongly support their choice.

 

Question Wording: Would you say that you strongly support (candidate name), somewhat support (candidate name), or do you think that you might vote differently on Election Day?

 

 

Likely Voters

Strongly Support

Somewhat Support

Might Vote Differently

 

Unsure

Sunday

69%

26%

  5%

<1%

 Doug Forrester

66%

28%

  6%

<1%

 Jon Corzine

71%

24%

  5%

<1%

Thursday/Friday

70%

23%

  6%

  1%

 Doug Forrester

65%

26%

  8%

  1%

 Jon Corzine

74%

20%

  5%

  1%

October 28, 2005

65%

26%

  8%

  1%

 Doug Forrester

61%

28%

  9%

  2%

 Jon Corzine

68%

23%

  8%

  1%

 

·                    Voters overwhelmingly see campaign as about attacks not issues:  84% of registered voters believe the candidates for governor have spent the campaign attacking each other rather than talking about the issues.  Only 8% think the campaign has focused more on the issues.

 

Question Wording: In general, do you feel that the candidates for governor have spent more time talking about their positions on the issues or attacking each other?

 

 

Registered Voters

Talking

Issues

Attacking

Each Other

 

Unsure

Sunday

  8%

84%

  8%

Thursday/Friday

14%

75%

11%

October 28, 2005

13%

78%

  9%

October 10, 2005

29%

58%

13%

 

·                 Voters mixed in their perceptions of the candidates:  44% of registered voters have a favorable impression of Doug Forrester compared with 50% who have an unfavorable view of him.  Jon Corzine is viewed positively by 46% of voters and negatively by 49%.

 

Question Wording: In general, do you have a favorable or an unfavorable impression of Doug Forrester/Jon Corzine?

 

Registered Voters

Favorable

Unfavorable

Unsure/Never Heard

Doug Forrester

 

 

 

Sunday

44%

50%

  6%

Thursday/Friday

43%

47%

10%

October 28, 2005

46%

41%

13%

October 10, 2005

52%

33%

15%

Jon Corzine

 

 

 

Sunday

46%

49%

  5%

Thursday/Friday

50%

45%

  5%

October 28, 2005