UPDATED N.J., Va. gubernatorial races ramp up on Twitter

With November fast approaching, gubernatorial candidates in New Jersey and Virginia are stepping up their campaigning on Twitter in an attempt to reach out to a broader swath of voters and media.

Many political observers consider both of this years’ contests a bellwether for Republican chances in the 2010 elections.

Former Attorney General Bob McDonnell (R-Va.) and former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie (R-N.J.) are leading their Democratic counterparts, state Sen. Creigh Deeds (Va.) and incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine (N.J.) in the polls.

Republicans seek to prove they can make a comeback on the Eastern seaboard by winning these races. Democrats would love nothing more than to halt their momentum in its tracks.

With such high stakes, the candidates are using all means necessary to get their message across to the public. Likewise, a litany of tweets have poured out from their computers and mobile devices.

On Monday, McDonnell used Twitter to promote a key endorsement:

I have a press conference at 3 PM today to announce an important endorsement. Be sure to check back to my website for details.

Christie also took to Twitter on Monday to announce his choice for lieutenant governor. Members of Corzine’s campaing staff tweeted pictures of the incumbent governor appearing with President Barack Obama at a large rally last week.

Last month, McDonnell made a tweet to promote his campaign stop with new Republican Governors Association chief Haley Barbour. Weeks later, he distanced himself from Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) in a twitterview with National Journal’s The Hotline.

Virginia was once a Republican stronghold, but President Barack Obama won the state’s electoral votes in 2008, beating Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) 53-46. Obama became the first Democratic presidential nominee to win the Old Dominion since Lyndon Johnson did it in 1964. Democrats have also controlled the Governor’s Mansion since 2002.

Like Virginia, Democrats have held New Jersey’s governorship since 2002. A Republican last won New Jersey’s electoral votes in 1988, when George H.W. Bush took the state. Democrats have recently dominated the state’s politics but the state was once amenable to centrist Republicans such as former Gov. Christine Todd Whitman.

UPDATED [11:36am]: Deeds tweeted that he introduced his economic plan alongside Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.):

In Roanoke w @MarkWarner – just launched my plan to jump start Virginia’s economy. Read the plan and share your ideas: http://bit.ly/NU8kb

Warner served as Virginia Governor from 2002-2006. Warner’s moderate Democratic agenda was popular amongst Virginia during his term. Current Gov. and DNC Chair Tim Kaine ran on his mantle as is Deeds.