TRENTON, N.J., Oct. 21 (UPI) -- New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine and Republican challenger Chris Christie are running neck and neck with two weeks to go in the race, a poll found.
Both Corzine and Christie, a former U.S. attorney, had the support of 39 percent of those surveyed by Monmouth University for Gannett New Jersey. Chris Daggett, a former Republican environmental official running as an independent, was at 14 percent.
Christie had a commanding lead in most early polls as Corzine dealt with high unemployment and budget problems in a state that has the highest tax burden in the country. Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, said Christie failed to close the deal.
"Voters needed a hook to hang their hats on, and Chris Christie didn't do that,'' Murray said.
With only one other governor's race this year, in Virginia, Corzine has had the benefit of appearances from Vice President Joe Biden, former President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama.
Monmouth polled 1,004 likely voters by telephone between Oct. 15 and Oct. 18. The margin of error is 3.1 percentage points.
