New Print Edition: New Jersey Governor & Virginia Governor

The March 6, 2009 print edition of the Rothenberg Political Report is on its way to subscribers.

The print edition of the Report comes out every two weeks. Subscribers get in-depth analysis of the most competitive races in the country, as well as quarterly House and Senate ratings, and coverage of the gubernatorial races nationwide. To subscribe, simply click on the Google checkout button on the website or send a check.

Here is a brief preview of this edition:


New Jersey Governor: Don’t Blame Me
By Nathan L. Gonzales

With the current economic crisis, it’s a tough time to be a governor. But New Jersey’s Jon Corzine (D) is the only incumbent facing voters this year.

In 2005, Corzine made the jump from the U.S. Senate to the governor’s mansion on the heels of scandal surrounding Democratic Gov. Jim McGreevey. Now, four years later, the national and state economic situation has worsened dramatically, and the governor’s polling numbers range from mediocre to extremely vulnerable.

Most Garden State Republicans are rallying behind the candidacy of former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie and are excited about the opportunity to knock off the governor. They’ll be looking to pin responsibility for the state’s economy onto Corzine, while Democrats will look to associate Christie with former President George W. Bush.

But considering that Corzine hasn’t even started his reelection campaign and will spend millions of dollars of his own money when he finally does, and that Republicans haven’t won statewide in New Jersey in a dozen years, Republicans might want to keep that champagne on ice before they start putting this contest into the “win” column. For the whole story, you must subscribe to the print edition of the Report.

Virginia Governor: Bucking the Trend
By Nathan L. Gonzales

If you place a great deal of emphasis on long-term historical trends, you have to figure that Republicans will be victorious later this year in their effort to take back the Virginia governorship. But recent elections prove that Democrats are on the march in the Commonwealth and could retain the governorship for a third consecutive term.

Still reeling from more losses in the 2008 elections, local Republicans have coalesced behind former Attorney General Bob McDonnell as their nominee. Meanwhile, Democrats won’t know their nominee until June 9, when the competitive Democratic primary is over. Gov. Tim Kaine (D) is prohibited from seeking a second consecutive term.

Former DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe, former state delegate Brian Moran, and state Sen. Creigh Deeds, all have viable paths to the Democratic nomination, but there is no clear frontrunner in the race.

Given the state’s proximity to the nation’s capital, this race could take on more significance as Republicans try to regain relevancy. For the whole story, you must subscribe to the print edition of the Report.


For our latest ratings on all of the 2009-2010 gubernatorial ratings, click here.