Governor Candidates

With Nov. 3 fast approaching, this year’s gubernatorial election is shaping up to be just as intense as the 2008 presidential campaign. As the Garden State struggles to stabilize under a deficit of nearly $8 billion, the stakes are perhaps higher than ever before, and all three major candidates are doing whatever it takes to win.

Incumbent Democrat Jon Corzine has focused his campaign on continuing to foster the change and improvements that he claims were initiated in his first term. He has vowed to use his experience and resources to help New Jersey move forward and recover its losses as quickly as possible. As the former CEO of the investment banking company Goldman Sachs, he hopes to ensure voters of continued fiscal responsibility.

A recent speech transcript from Corzine stated that, “With our economic stimulus program, which was the first introduced in the country, and with the partnership in Washington, I think we are laying a firm economic foundation. When the economy turns, as it will inevitably, we will be in a strong position to lead the nation in recovery.”

The partnership he mentions refers to his close ties with President Barack Obama, who has personally appeared with Corzine on the campaign trail. This relationship is what Corzine believes will keep the state moving in the progressive direction Obama is taking the country.

Republican Chris Christie is best known for his career as a lawyer and a prominent United States Attorney. One of the leading components of his campaign is the prosecution of corrupt politicians on both sides of the political aisle. Christie’s Web site stated that if elected, he will take immediate action to rein in what he considers an out of control state budget.

Socially, Christie has remained conservative, calling himself pro-life and vowing to veto any same-sex marriage legislation that crosses his desk. By coming down hard in cases of corruption and returning to family values, Christie hopes to “take back New Jersey,” while repairing the state’s infamously tarnished reputation.

His Web site said that “Chris Christie believes we will solve our state’s government by making government more effective and efficient, while getting out of the wallets of its taxpayers. It’s a strategy that will bring more jobs and residents to our state, instead of driving them away.” This strategy seems to settle well with New Jersey voters thus far; in their latest poll, realclearpolitics.com lists Christie as leading Corzine by just under 1 percent.

Also on the ballot is Chris Daggett, a former conservative now running as an independent candidate.  Daggett has proven to be a fairly strong contender in the election so far, carrying 14 percent of the vote, according to an Oct. 14 poll by Quinnipiac University. His main objective is to clear the bad name the state has received while taking socially liberal and fiscally conservative stances. 

Environmental protection and education are two issues particularly close to Daggett’s heart. He served as an regional administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for over two decades, and has considered proper education for New Jersey students a top priority throughout his political career.

During the first two gubernatorial debates earlier this month, he presented himself as a “low-drama” alternative to the two major candidates. The media took notice, and Daggett secured an endorsement following the debate from “The Star-Ledger,” which wrote: “Only by breaking the hold of the Democratic and Republican mandarins on the governor’s office and putting a rein on their power will the state have any hope for the kind of change needed to halt its downward economic, political and ethical spiral. New Jersey needs radical change in Trenton. Neither of the major parties is likely to provide it.”

Daggett is not the only one boasting big endorsements. Planned Parenthood of New Jersey has voiced its support for Corzine, along with the N.J. Education Association, the largest union in the state. Christie has secured endorsements from the traditionally conservative Family Research Council, and to the surprise of many, the N.J. Environmental Foundation. The NJEF is the state’s largest environmental group and is endorsing a Republican candidate for the first time in its history.

While the deadline to register to vote has already passed, it’s still possible for Rowan students living on campus to vote while away from home. Vote by mail applications are easy to fill out, and can be sent in up to one week before Election Day. The application, along with information about the election and candidates, can be found at njelections.org.