Changes

===2009===

===2009===

*New Jersey

*'''New Jersey'''

Incumbent Democrat Governor [[Jon Corzine]]'s approval ratings have plummeted as the New Jersey economy continues to weaken, high property taxes are a heavy burden, and recurrent corruption scandals have tainted Democrats in the state. The Republican nominee, ex-U.S. attorney [[Christopher Christie]] has lead Jon Corzine in every political poll since January. However, the political climate in the state strongly favors Democrats. In the 2008 Presidential Election, Barack Obama won New Jersey by 15-percentage points. Chris Daggett, former regional administrator for the [[Environmental Protection Agency]], is running as an [[independent]] and is receiving as much as 10% of the vote in some polls.

Incumbent Democrat Governor [[Jon Corzine]]'s approval ratings have plummeted as the New Jersey economy continues to weaken, high property taxes are a heavy burden, and recurrent corruption scandals have tainted Democrats in the state. The Republican nominee, ex-U.S. attorney [[Christopher Christie]] has lead Jon Corzine in every political poll since January. However, the political climate in the state strongly favors Democrats. In the 2008 Presidential Election, Barack Obama won New Jersey by 15-percentage points. Chris Daggett, former regional administrator for the [[Environmental Protection Agency]], is running as an [[independent]] and is receiving as much as 10% of the vote in some polls.

*Virginia

*'''Virginia'''

Incumbent Democrat [[Tim Kaine]] is not seeking a second term because the Virginia constitution does not allow a governor to succeed himself (they are the only state in the nation to have such a prevision). The Republican nominee is former State Attorney General [[Bob McDonnell]] while Democrats have nominated State Senator [[Creigh Deeds]]. McDonnell maintains a steady lead over Deeds in the polls, however the race tightened after it was revealed that McDonnell wrote a 1989 thesis that was critical of [[feminism]] and women in the work force.  

Incumbent Democrat [[Tim Kaine]] is not seeking a second term because the Virginia constitution does not allow a governor to succeed himself (they are the only state in the nation to have such a prevision). The Republican nominee is former State Attorney General [[Bob McDonnell]] while Democrats have nominated State Senator [[Creigh Deeds]]. McDonnell maintains a steady lead over Deeds in the polls, however the race tightened after it was revealed that McDonnell wrote a 1989 thesis that was critical of [[feminism]] and women in the work force.  

Although Obama was the first Democrat to win Virginia's 15 electoral votes, his approval ratings in the state have dropped below 50% since taking office, and McDonnell has continued to tie Creigh Deeds to federal legislation such as [[Card Check]] and the public option in [[health care]].    

Although Obama was the first Democrat to win Virginia's 15 electoral votes, his approval ratings in the state have dropped below 50% since taking office, and McDonnell has continued to tie Creigh Deeds to federal legislation such as [[Card Check]] and the public option in [[health care]].

==Further reading==

==Further reading==