Response by Stephen Salmore

The 2005 governor’s race is shaping up to be similar to most recent gubernatorial match-ups.  The dominant issue -- surprise, surprise -- will be taxes and spending. Although auto insurance seems to have dropped off the public’s radar screen, another tried and true New Jersey issue has reappeared: ethics and corruption.  Given the fact that the governor is a Democrat and the legislature is controlled by the Democrats, the Republicans might have a small edge on the corruption issue. And Republicans traditionally have done better than the Democrats on the taxing and spending issue. The question in November will be whether what seems to be a Republican edge on the issues is enough to overcome the Democratic edge in registration. This could be a close race in November. Stay tuned.

see also:
Survey Analysis
Thigpen's Analysis
Tabular Results
Survey Details

Comment by Fairleigh Dickinson University Research Professor of Political Science, Stephen Salmore (Ph.D., Princeton University). Steve specializes in both national and New Jersey politics and presently operates Raritan Associates, Inc. He is co-author of Parties, Elections and Campaigns and New Jersey Government and Politics. Dr. Stephen Salmore can be reached at 973-292-3633.

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