NEW JERSEY 101.5

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is asked seemingly everywhere he goes if he plans to run for president in 2016, and the latest Quinnipiac University national poll shows the Republican is virtually tied with Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie
Kena Betancur, Getty Images
loading...

"We're showing a statistical dead heat right now between Gov. Chris Christie and Hillary Clinton in a hypothetical run for the White House," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac polling institute. "It is the best showing for Christie yet against the former Secretary of State. Good day for him."

According to the survey, 43 percent of voters back Christie, while 42 percent back Clinton.

"It's a long way off and no one is officially a candidate yet, but the Hillary Clinton-Chris Christie race to the White House is neck-and-neck before the campaign even saddles up," said Malloy.

There is a gender gap. Women support Clinton 48 to 39 percent, while men lean toward Christie, 47 to 35 percent.

Independent voters back Christie 48 to 32 percent, with Democrats going for Clinton 85 to six percent and Republicans for Christie, 85 to five percent.

White voters favor Christie 50 to 35 percent, with Clinton ahead 77 to 12 percent among black voters and 46 to 38 percent among Hispanic voters.

By a margin of 54 to 40 percent, voters said that Clinton would make a good president. But they said Christie would as well, 49 to 31 percent.

How does Clinton do when matched up with other potential Republican candidates? She has leads of nine points or more against other possible GOP contenders:

  • 49 - 40 percent over U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky;
  • 51 - 36 percent over U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas;
  • 49 - 40 percent over U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.

"Sen. Rand Paul, Vice President Joseph Biden, those other guys better get cracking or they might as well head back to the stables," said Malloy.

From Nov. 6-11, Quinnipiac University surveyed 2,545 registered voters nationwide, with a margin of error of +/- 1.9 percentage points.

 

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM