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 lead Jon Corzine in most public opinion 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, 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 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.

*'''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. <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 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>

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]].