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Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Election Day Scenes: Corzine v. Christie in pivotal Ocean County

Inquirer staff writer Jacqueline L. Urgo reports:

Outside the administration building at Tip Seamen Park, voters in Tuckerton were among those in southern Ocean County casting ballots that could make or break Christie’s chances of being elected governor.

Ocean County has long been a Republican stronghold, but Democrats here say a scandal involving Republican Assemblyman Daniel Van Pelt of Ocean Township, who was arrested in a federal corruption sting this past summer, may help them make in-roads with conservatives. The area, which encompasses 90 percent of this state’s Ninth Legislative District, is among the state’s oldest: over 30 percent of the population is 65 or older.

The area also ranks first in the state in the percentage of eligible voters registered to vote and third in turnout, according to data from the Rutgers University Center for Government Services.

“I cannot see how anyone, Democrat or Republican, would ever vote for Jon Corzine again,” said Frank Kremer, 47. “Even if I thought he did do a good job, I wouldn’t have voted for him because I’m a Republican. But he certainly didn’t do a good job.”

Kremer, who says he votes in every election, noted that turnout to him seemed heavier than usual at the park administration building for late-afternoon.

But Loretta Jobs, 68, who recently moved to Tuckerton from Staten Island, N.Y. to retire, said she would vote “for the Democrats, all down the line, no matter who they are.”

“I think so many Republicans get elected because they stick together,” Jobs said. “They never even consider voting for a Democrat. But a Democrat, being more open minded to begin with, will consider a candidate like Daggett, who doesn’t really have a chance. And that’s where all out votes go. Democrats need to learn the fine art of sticking together.”

Coming out of the Hammonton Town Hall in Atlantic County, Brenda Ciccarone, said she was splitting her ticket between voting for the Republicans running for mayor and council in her town and the Democrat for governor.

“I always vote for the person, not the party,” said Ciccarone, who considers herself an Independent. “I like Corzine. I think he’s been trying to do what’s best for New Jersey. The problems with the economy are not his fault.”

Ciccarone said she liked the fact that Corzine had used his own funds to finance his campaign, while both Daggett and Christie had taken public money.

Voters in Hammonton and throughout various parts of Atlantic County said they think voter turnout seemed avarage for a gubernatorial race.

“The governors race is always a hot ticket,” quipped one poll worker in Galloway Township, Atlantic County, who did not want to be identified. “As people get off work, the lines will start to get a little longer.”

Linda Booker, of Galloway Township, who works as a cocktail waitress at an Atlantic City casino, said she was willing to wait no matter how long it took.

“I do not want to see Christie elected governor,” Booker said. “I’m not really a Democrat or a Republican, but I don’t think we need another George Bush-type politician running the show. That’s what got us in all the trouble we’re in.”

But John Gove of Galloway Township said he is angry with Corzine and doesn’t particularly like Christie.

“I’m going with Daggett,” sid Gove, 27.

Read more breaking news in our From The Source blog.

Posted by Inquirer Online Desk @ 6:10 PM  Permalink | 3 comments
Comments   
Posted 08:43 PM, 11/03/2009
Tom Kearney
Sid Gove, age 27............way to go, Sid!!!
Posted 09:41 PM, 11/03/2009
ResponsibleAmerican
As someone across the river I hope they elect Corzine and then watch them moan and groan when their taxes skyrocket because the state budget blows up and Corzine refuses to make the spending cuts he needs to because it was the corrupt organizing groups that get all the free money got him elected.
Posted 02:54 PM, 11/04/2009
janann
Well Aresponsible American - let's give Christie the same 10 Months we have given the president to take care of all the problems in New jersey. My question to Christie would be -- "Gov. Corzine enacted legislation that would not allow premium rates for single pay policy holders in the State of New Jersey over age 55 to increase more than 15%/year. Will you continue to enforce that legislation??? Right now I have Horizon Blue Cross, pay $600/mo and have had every test, treatment and surgery recommended by my oncologist and family physician denied. Explain to me why the Insurance Company has a right to tell me how and by whom I should be treated.
3 comments
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