The numbers in the latest Quinnipiac University poll released today suggest Gov. Chris Christie won't have any problem defeating State Sen. Barbara Buono, the Democrat trying to unseat him in this year's gubernatorial election.

From left to right: NJ Gov. Chris Christie and Gubernatorial Candidate Sen. Barbara Buono
From left to right: NJ Gov. Chris Christie and Gubernatorial Candidate Sen. Barbara Buono
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The survey reveals something else Christie won't have; coattails to help his Republican colleagues re-take control of the either the Assembly or the State Senate.

The incumbent GOP Governor continues to dominate his challenger. The poll of over 2,000 Garden State voters shows they give Christie a 58 - 30 percent lead over Buono. Voters in urban areas, typically a Democratic stronghold are split, with 43 percent favoring Buono and 42 percent backing Christie, but the Governor has gigantic leads in every other area of the state, from 56 - 33 percent in suburban areas to 67 - 21 percent at the Shore.

As you might expect, Christie leads 91 - 4 percent among Republicans. He also leads big with the very important Independent voters 66 - 22 percent among independent voters. He leads 62 - 27 percent among men and 56 - 34 percent among women.

"The big election is still the race between Gov. Christopher Christie and State Sen. Barbara Buono and the governor's 2-1 lead remains undented after months of polling," says Mickey Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Sen. Buono is down 3-1 among independent voters and even loses 30 percent of Democratic voters to Christie. There's no point even counting Republicans."

No Coattails

Yesterday, Assembly republicans held a State House press conference saying they think they can regain control of the legislature. Today's poll shows Christie wouldn't be of much help unless he decides to stump for them in a big way.

Just 20 percent of voters say Christie's backing would make them more likely to vote for that candidate, with 17 percent saying less likely and 60 percent saying it wouldn't make a difference.

Don't expect Christie's opponent to help her Party out much either. Only 11 percent are more likely to support a Buono-backed candidate, with 15 percent less likely and 70 percent who say it wouldn't make a difference.

"The question is if Gov. Christie has coattails and, unless he goes all-out for legislative Republicans, the answer now is no," explains Carroll. "Buono looks like she's no help to Democrats."

No Confidence In LG Candidates

Would Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno make a good Governor? Only 15 percent of New Jersey voters think she would while 7 percent say she couldn't fill Christie's shoes and 77 percent say they don't know enough about her to decide.

Do you know who the Democratic Lt. Gov candidate is? It's Milly Silva and 90 percent don't know enough to decide if she could handle the top job.

"Electing a lieutenant governor was New Jersey's answer to the succession problem. But it hasn't meant much in terms of recognition," says Carroll. "No one knows Milly Silva, and most people don't even know the incumbent, Kim Guadagno, and she's had the job for four years."

From August 1 - 5, Quinnipiac University surveyed 2,042 New Jersey voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.2 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones.

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