Can this be accurate? Maybe so. Corzine beat Forrester by 3 points in 1000, and New Jersey voted for Kerry by 6% in 2004.

New Jersey's governor's race, once considered a Democratic lock, is now in a dead heat with four weeks to go before the Nov. 8 off—year election, a new independent poll shows. 

Republican business executive Doug Forrester has gained significant ground on Democratic Sen. Jon Corzine, whose once double—digit lead has dwindled to a 44 percent to 43 percent statistical dead heat, according to a WNBC/Marist poll of 600 registered voters. 

"What was supposed to be a coronation is actually turning into a bloody duel. Two weeks ago, I had Corzine ahead of Forrester by seven or eight points, so there isn't a doubt in my mind that this latest poll is accurate," said independent pollster John Zogby. 

In a state where nearly two—thirds of all voters are either Democrats or Democratic—leaning independents, the poll showed Mr. Forrester taking 20 percent of the Democratic vote and one—third of the independent vote. 

The Forrester campaign yesterday said the poll shows that Democratic corruption and scandal was a major factor in the race, as well as property taxes, issues that Mr. Forrester has been hitting hard in his campaign ads. 

"These polls are tracking our internal polls. It's corruption, it's property taxes, it's Jon Corzine's connection to our former disgraced Governor Jim McGreevey and former disgraced Senator Bob Torricelli," said Sherry Sylvester, the Forrester campaign's communications director. 

"Even in this bluest state, it's a perfect storm for Republicans," she said.

Ed Lasky   10 12 05