Poll: Christie pads primary lead

A new Quinnipiac poll shows former U.S. attorney Chris Christie having little trouble in the Republican primary for governor of New Jersey.

Former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan has gained some traction in recent weeks and has been buoyed somewhat by Gov. Jon Corzine’s (D) dabbling in the GOP primary (Democrats want the more conservative and less well-funded Lonegan to emerge). But the new poll shows Christie leading Lonegan 56-33 among likely voters in the June 2 primary.

Christie led Lonegan by a much smaller margin, 46-37, a month ago.

The margin in the general election is basically unchanged, with Corzine trailing Christie 45-38.

UPDATE: A new Monmouth poll also shows Christie with a comfortable double-digit lead. He leads Lonegan 50-32 in the poll.

-Aaron Blake