Poll: New Jersey Voters Remain Split Over Second Term For Christie

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A new poll finds New Jersey voters think Gov. Chris Christie is doing a good job, but they're not positive about re-electing him.

In a Rutgers-Eagleton Poll released Tuesday, 47 percent of voters rate his performance an "A'' or "B'' -- the best marks they've given him since the poll began asking the question in February 2011.

Still, nearly one in three voters gave the Republican a "D'' or "F.''

1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reports

"New Jersey voters remain evenly split over the governor, as they have been consistently since he's been in office," said David Redlawsk, director of the poll and professor of political science at Rutgers University. "While we see small moves up and down, opinions on Christie remain pretty settled."

Voters also remain split over a second term for Christie, according to the poll.

Forty-four percent said they would re-elect him, while 47 percent said it's time to bring in someone new -- a result within the poll's margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent.

The gender gap continues to be a problem for Christie, 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reported, as women -- for the most part -- don't like him.

Favorability among women remains less positive than men, 43 percent to 52 percent, according to the poll.

"He's probably a very intelligent man but he comes across in the opposite way," one female voter said. "I think he's doing a fair job, I just wish that he'd tone down his abrasiveness."

Men on the other hand appear to like the Christie style.

"It doesn't matter to me. I think he should get re-elected, I think he's a great politician," one man said.

Christie has not said whether he will seek re-election next year.

The telephone survey of 790 registered voters was conducted from Sept. 27-30.

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