Changes

*'''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 a small, shrinking lead over Corzine in the polls. 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, a liberal Republican and 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. Corzine is very rich and is outspending his two opponents by over 2:1.

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 a small, shrinking lead over Corzine in the polls. However, the political climate in the state strongly favors Democrats. In the 2008 Presidential Election, Barack Obama won New Jersey by 15-percentage points. Corzine is very rich and is outspending his two opponents by over 2:1.

 

By mid-October Christie held only a one-point lead, 42%-41%.  Chris Daggett, a liberal Republican and former regional administrator for the [[Environmental Protection Agency]], is running as an independent and is polling at 12%.  For the latest polls see [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2009/governor/nj/new_jersey_governor_corzine_vs_christie-1051.html Real Clear Politics]

 

*'''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 provision). 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. <ref>http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=9db323a1-0c9c-4a39-887c-c504bc80fb06</ref> <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2009/virginia/toplines/toplines_virginia_governor_election_september_29_2009/</ref> <ref>http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=10fe2317-36a6-4429-86ce-1d154fb33c58%26c=18/</ref>

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 provision). The Republican nominee is former State Attorney General [[Bob McDonnell]] while Democrats have nominated State Senator [[Creigh Deeds]]. McDonnell maintains a steady 9-point lead over Deeds in the polls. For a summary of the latest polls see [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2009/governor/va/virginia_governor_mcdonnell_vs_deeds-1055.html Real Clear Politics]

Although Obama was the first Democrat to win Virginia's 15 electoral votes since 1964, 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 since 1964, 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]].