Response by Stephen Salmore

According to most polls and pols, property taxes are the dominant issue in this campaign. Indeed, FDU's PublicMind poll shows property taxes are the top issue for 37% of voters and the next issue is corruption at 15%.  However, among independents, property taxes and corruption are rated equally high.  And independents are the swing voters who decide elections. Further, it's not clear that either candidate will be able to score points on the tax issue.  Property taxes have been the number one issue since time immemorial. Taxes keep going up and the public's discontent never fades. If neither candidate can clearly establish that he has a superior position on controlling property taxes, voters will look to their next issue. And the issue they will turn to is corruption. And on the issue of corruption, the Republicans have an advantage, not having to defend a recently disgraced governor.

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.