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New Jersey gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2013
 New Jersey's 2013 elections: • Governor • Lt. Gov • State Senate • General Assembly • Ballot measures |
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The New Jersey gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election will be held on November 5, 2013, following a statewide primary on June 4, 2013. Incumbent Governor Chris Christie (R) is running for a second term. Incumbent Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno is also running for re-election. The 2013 election will mark the second lieutenant gubernatorial election in New Jersey history and the second time Christie and Guadagno will share the Republican ticket.
The position of lieutenant governor is relatively new in New Jersey - the current officeholder, Kim Guadagno (R), is the Garden State's first. The position was created as the result of a Constitutional amendment to the New Jersey State Constitution passed by the voters on November 8, 2005. In New Jersey, the governor and lieutenant governor are elected on a single ticket in the general election. Following the primary elections, gubernatorial candidates have 30 days to select a running mate.
Until the April 1 primary candidate filing deadline, Democratic State Senator Barbara Buono was the only confirmed challenger. Four additional Democrats ultimately filed for the Democratic primary nomination, as well as one Republican candidate.[1]
| Deadline | Event |
|---|---|
| April 1 | Last day to file candidacy |
| May 14 | Voter registration for primary election |
| June 4 | Primary election |
| June 10 | Last day for independent candidates to file for general election |
| Nov. 5 | General election |
Primary election candidates
The following list of candidates is official as of the April 1, 2013 candidate filing deadline.
Democratic candidates
Barbara Buono - State Senator[2][3]
- Carl A. Bergmanson[4]
- William Araujo[4]
- Jeff Boss[4]
- Troy Webster[4]
Republican candidates
Chris Christie Incumbent[5]
- Seth Grossman[4]
Other
Third party, unaffiliated candidates
Diane Sare - Political organizer, 2012 Democratic candidate for U.S. House, the 5th Congressional District[6]
Former potential candidates
- Cory Booker - Mayor of Newark Cory Booker declined to seek the Democratic nomination for governor in 2013, opting instead to finish his mayoral term and lay the groundwork for a U.S. Senate bid in 2014.[7][8]
- Richard Codey - State Sen. Richard Cody announced on Jan. 25 that a gubernatorial campaign would not serve the best interests of his family; he plans to run for re-election to the State Senate in 2013.[9][2]
- Stephen Sweeney - State Senator[10][11][12]
- Bill Pascrell - U.S. Rep. from the 8th congressional district.[13]
- Louis Greenwald - State Assemblyman [14]
- Tom Byrne[15]
Race background
In November 2012, the Washington Post rated the New Jersey gubernatorial election as one of the top five races to watch in 2013.[16]
First term incumbent Gov. Chris Christie (R) announced his bid for re-election on November 26, 2012, the day before Quinnipiac University released a poll showing Christie's approval rating soaring to 72%, compared to 56% in October and previous record high of 59% from April.[17][18] The peak job approval ratings from New Jersey voters were Christie's reward for his performance in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
In early 2013, names of potential Democratic candidates for New Jersey Governor defected to a new list - supporters of presumptive nominee Barbara Buono, a state Senator. Buono was the only individual from her party to formally enter the race until the April 1 primary candidate filing deadline; Four additional Democrats ultimately filed for the Democratic primary nomination, as well as one Republican candidate.[19]
In February, when Buono's campaign passed the $380,000 fundraising mark to qualify for the state's public matching-funds program, Christie had already raised $2 million for his re-election campaign. Unlike in 2009, Christie stated that he will not accept matching funds in the 2013 primary.[20] Despite Buono’s expanding campaign coffer and list of endorsements, which now includes the Democratic Governors’ Association, she faces what appears to be an uphill battle. The incumbency advantage aside, Christie’s fundraising prowess and popularity--especially since Hurricane Sandy--among heavyweights from both major parties shield him against an upset in November.
Hypothetical match-up polls
April 2013-present
| New Jersey Governor's Race 2013 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Response | Quinnipiac University Poll April 19-22, 2013 | NBC News/Marist Poll (April 28-May 2, 2013) | Average | |||||||||||
| Barbara Buono (D) | 26% | 28% | 27% | |||||||||||
| Chris Christie (R) | 58% | 60% | 59% | |||||||||||
| Undecided | 13% | 10% | 11.5% | |||||||||||
| Number polled | 1,112 | 1,080 | 1,096 | |||||||||||
| Margin of error | +/-2.9 | +/-3.0% | 2.95% | |||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org | ||||||||||||||
February 2013
A Quinnipiac University Poll released February 20, 2013 reaffirmed incumbent Chris Christie's popularity with New Jersey voters post-Hurricane Sandy. At 74% job approval - "the highest of any New Jersey governor in 17 years of Quinnipiac University surveys" - and 71-23% believing that Christie deserves to win re-election in 2013, the governor is the clear favorite for the 2013 gubernatorial race.[21] According to the poll, Christie's strength is just one of likely Democratic challenger Barbara Buono's weaknesses heading into the primary election season. In a head-to-head match-up respondents preferred Christie to Buono 62-25, a wide margin that can be partially attributed to her anonymity: 83% of respondents said they did not know enough to form an opinion about Buono. Somewhat ominously for the Buono campaign, this figure indicates that her name recognition diminisheded slightly since voters were last asked to give their opinion of her back in Jan. 2013.
| New Jersey Governor's Race 2013 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Response | Quinnipiac University Poll (Feb. 13-17, 2013) | Average | ||||||||||||
| Chris Christie | 62% | 62% | ||||||||||||
| Barbara Buono | 25% | 25% | ||||||||||||
| Undecided | 12% | 12% | ||||||||||||
| Number polled | 1,149 | 1,149 | ||||||||||||
| Margin of error | +/-2.9 | 2.9% | ||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org | ||||||||||||||
November 2012 (Post-Sandy)
Between November 14-17 2012, Rutgers and the Eagleton Institute of Politics surveyed 1,228 registered New Jersey voters through live telephone interviews. The respondents were given a series of hypothetical match-ups between incumbent Chris Christie and five potential Democratic candidates, and asked which of the two candidates they would vote for in the 2013 election. The margin of error is +/- 2.9%. [22]
| Hypothetical match-ups for Governor of New jersey | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cory Booker | Richard Codey | Barbara Buono | Lou Greenwald | Tom Byrne | ||||
| Percent of the vote | 34% | 31% | 22% | 21% | 22% | |||
| Chris Christie's percent of the vote | 53% | 56% | 60% | 60% | 58% | |||
| Undecided | 9% | 10% | 10% | 15% | 16% | |||
October 2012
Between October 10-14 2012, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,405 registered New Jersey voters through live telephone interviews. The respondents were given a series of hypothetical match-ups between incumbent Chris Christie and four potential Democratic candidates, and asked which of the two candidates they would vote for in the 2013 election. The margin of error is +/- 2.6%. Leading the pack of likely challengers is Mayor of Newark Cory Booker, who trails Christie 46-42. A similar survey conducted in early September had Booker behind seven percentage points. [23][24]
| Hypothetical match-ups for Governor of New jersey | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cory Booker | Richard Codey | Barbara Buono | Lou Greenwald | |||||
| Percent of the vote | 42% | 41% | 33% | 31% | ||||
| Chris Christie's percent of the vote | 46% | 47% | 49% | 50% | ||||
| Undecided | 11% | 11% | 17% | 17% | ||||
July 2011
Between July 15-18, 2011, Public Policy Polling surveyed 480 New Jersey voters. The respondents were given a series of hypothetical match-ups between incumbent Chris Christie and four potential Democratic candidates, and asked which of the two candidates they would vote for.[25]
| Hypothetical match-ups for Governor of New jersey | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cory Booker | Frank Pallone | Bruce Springsteen | Steve Sweeney | |||||
| Percent of the vote | 47% | 43% | 42% | 40% | ||||
| Chris Christie's percent of the vote | 43% | 43% | 42% | 42% | ||||
| Undecided | 10% | 14% | 15% | 18% | ||||
Campaign finance
Since 1977, New Jersey gubernatorial primary and general election candidates can qualify for a public funding program whereby candidates who raise a minimum amount of money are dispensed tax-generated funds, controlled by the state election law enforcement commission, in direct proportion to campaign donations given from the public. In 2013, the qualifying sum for primary gubernatorial candidates is $380,000.[26] The purpose of the program is to lessen the influence of corporate contributions in elections. On February 2, 2013, presumptive Democratic nominee Barbara Buono's campaign reported that it had surpassed the $380,000 mark.[20]
By the time Buono reached the qualifying threshold, Christie had already raised $2 million for his re-election campaign. Unlike in 2009, Christie stated that he will not accept matching funds in the 2013 primary.[20]
In New Jersey, qualified candidates who choose to accept public funds may not spend more than $12.2 million on their gubernatorial campaigns. The maximum amount of public funds that any candidate may receive is $8.2 million.[27] New Jersey employs a two-to-one matching program for qualified contributions. It is detailed in Title 19 Chapter 25 Sub Chapter 15 of the New Jersey State Statutes.
Endorsements
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Barbara Buono
- Buono for Governor 2013, Official Campaign Website
- Buono's campaign on Facebook
- Follow Buono's campaign on Twitter
- Buono's campaign on YouTube
|
Chris Christie
- Christie for Governor 2013, Official Campaign Website
- Christie's campaign on Twitter
- Christie's campaign on Facebook
- Christie's campaign on YouTube
|
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Seth Grossman
|
|
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Additional reading
- The Washington Post, "The 5 Best Races of 2013," November 30, 2012
- My Central Jersey, "Codey could be a player in gubernatorial race," January 20, 2013
See also
External links
References
- ↑ Asbury Park Press, "Christie, Buono get five other primary foes," April 2, 2013
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Quinnipiac University, "Booker Is Strongest Dem To Face Christie, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Say Show Me The Money Before Tax Cut Vote," October 17, 2012
- ↑ NorthJersey.com, "Democrat Barbara Buono running for governor in NJ," December 11, 2012
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 New Jersey State Board of Elections, "Primary candidate list for 2013 Governor," accessed April 4, 2014
- ↑ The Associated Press "Governor Christie Announces Re-Election Bid," November 26, 2012
- ↑ E-mail biography submission from candidate, received January 18, 2013
- ↑ Politico, "Report: Cory Booker may take on Chris Christie," August 24, 2012
- ↑ The New York Times, "http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/21/nyregion/booker-wont-run-for-governor-eyes-senate-bid.html?hp&_r=1&," December 20, 2012
- ↑ The Star-Leger, "Sen. Richard Codey says he won't run for governor after weighing a campaign," January 25, 2013
- ↑ West Deptford Patch, "Steve Sweeney Won’t Run for Governor in ’13," January 28, 2013
- ↑ The Star-Ledger, "Sen. Sweeney to run for governor if Cory Booker declines, sources say," November 28, 2012
- ↑ The Huffington Post, "Steve Sweeney Considering Race For Governor Of New Jersey Against Chris Christie," December 6, 2012
- ↑ NJ.com, "Sen. Buono raises almost $250K in first month of campaigning," January 2, 2013
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedquinpolll - ↑ Rutgers-Eagleton Poll, November 27, 2012
- ↑ Washington Post, "The 5 best races of 2013," November 30, 2012
- ↑ Quinnipiac University Poll, "Sandy Response Sends New Jersey Gov Approval Sky-High, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Back Stricter Codes For Shore Rebuilding," November 27, 2012
- ↑ USA Today, "New Jersey Governor Christie announces re-election bid," November 27, 2012
- ↑ Asbury Park Press, "Christie, Buono get five other primary foes," April 2, 2013
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 The Star-Ledger, "Buono qualifies for public matching funds in N.J. governor's race," February 4, 2013
- ↑ Quinnipiac University Poll, "NEW JERSEY GOV FLIES HIGH, BURIES UNKNOWN DEM, QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY POLL FINDS;CHRISTIE CLOSE TO CLINTON, LEADS CUOMO IN ’16 PRES RACE," released February 20, 2013
- ↑ Rutgers Eagleton Center for Public Polling, "Christie Ratings and Re-elect 2012 Poll," November 26, 2012
- ↑ Quinnipiac University, "October 17, 2012 - Booker Is Strongest Dem To Face Christie, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Say Show Me The Money Before Tax Cut Vote," October 17, 2012
- ↑ Quinnipiac University, "New Jersey Gov. Christie Gets No GOP Convention Bounce, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Most Biased Against Atheists, Muslims," September 5, 2012
- ↑ Public Policy Polling, "Christie in trouble for re-election," July 20, 2011
- ↑ NJ.com, "Sen. Buono raises almost $250K in first month of campaigning," January 2, 2013
- ↑ New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, "Press Release," June 19, 2012
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 PolititickerNJ.com, "National pipefitters wade into gov. race, endorse Christie," March 26, 2013
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 Arizonacentral.com, "Dems agree on candidate to challenge NJ’s Christie," January 30, 2013
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 The Associated Press, "Buono picks up key backing in NJ gov's race," January 28, 2013
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 31.4 NJ.com, "Harrison's Democratic leaders endorse Christie without tipping county Dem Party officials," February 1, 2013
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 NJ Today, "EDITORIAL: Troy Webster For Governor," April 14, 2013
- ↑ NJ.com, "Christie endorsed by Port Authority police union," January 22, 2013
- ↑ Fox News Latino, "Chris Christie Nabs Endorsement of New Jersey Latino Group," February 28, 2013
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