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]] in late October is tied with Corzine in the polls; Chris Daggett, a liberal Republican and former regional administrator for the [[Environmental Protection Agency]], is running as an independent and is polling at 15%.  For the latest polls see [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2009/governor/nj/new_jersey_governor_corzine_vs_christie-1051.html Real Clear Politics]

Incumbent Democrat Governor [[Jon Corzine]] was defeated for reelection by a 49%-45% margin over [[Republican]] challenger [[Chris Christie]]. Corzine's approval ratings had plummeted as the New Jersey economy weakened, high property taxes were a heavy burden, and recurrent corruption scandals tainted Democrats in the state. In late October polls showed Christie tied with Corzine; Chris Daggett, a liberal Republican and former regional administrator for the [[Environmental Protection Agency]], who ran as an independent was polling as high as 20%, however underperformed with 6% of the vote.

 

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.

*'''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 9-11 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]

Incumbent Democrat [[Tim Kaine]] was 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, former state Attorney General Bob McDonnell, defeated Democrat State Senator [[Creigh Deeds]] by an 18-point landslide. Additionally, Republicans maintianed the Lieutenant Governorship and Attorney General's office.

 

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 <ref>http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_VA_10221.pdf</ref>, and McDonnell has continued to tie Creigh Deeds to federal legislation such as [[Card Check]] and the public option in [[health care]].

===2010===

===2010===