N.J. Gubernatorial Candidates Battle For Independent Female Voters

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Abortion;  Health Insurance / Medical Insurance;  Breast Cancer
Article Date: 06 Oct 2009 - 5:00 PDT

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In the New Jersey gubernatorial race, Gov. Jon Corzine (D) and challenger Christopher Christie (R) are "waging a pitched battle" for the support of independent female voters, who are expected be a critical demographic, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

According to Monmouth University Polling Institute Director Patrick Murray, about 400,000 independent female voters -- up to 15% of the expected overall turnout -- will cast ballots in next month's election. In a poll the institute conducted in July, independent female voters favored Christie 42% to 27%. However, a poll released Thursday showed that the group now favors Corzine 38% to 37%, with 14% undecided.

Corzine has been targeting female voters since June, when he started airing television ads saying that Christie's proposals for reducing minimum benefit requirements could cut coverage for mammograms, which state law requires insurers to offer for women over age 40 or with family histories of breast cancer. According to Corzine pollster Joel Benenson, the polls are "tightening up because of women." He added that the campaign started targeting women voters because "it was a group where we were underperforming." Christie recently launched an ad saying that his plan would not cut mammograms and other mandated benefits.

Brigid Harrison, a political scientist at Montclair State University, said that the fight for female voters will eventually turn to abortion rights. Corzine supports abortion rights, while Christie says he opposes them but would not seek to change current law. "It could be a wedge issue because Christie had to define a position so starkly in the primary," she said, adding that because New Jersey "tends to be a pro-choice state, my thinking is the Democrats will use that against him" (Burton, Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/2).

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