Chris Christie and Hillary Clinton are neck-and-neck in the New Jersey governor 's home state , according to a poll released Tuesday about the hypothetical presidential match-up . Fairleigh Dickinson University 's Public Mind Poll found that Clinton garnered 45 % of the New Jersey electorate while Christie won 42 % . Clinton 's slight lead is within the poll 's 3.7 % margin of error , making the contest a statistical tie . A tie , however , is down from where Clinton was just last month . A Quinnipiac University Poll found in August that Clinton would beat Christie in New Jersey 50 % to 42 % . This was the first time that Fairleigh Dickinson asked questions about Clinton vs. Christie in the Garden State . When Christie won re-election in 2013 , he was heralded as the Republicans ' hope for winning the White House in 2016 because of his crossover appeal with Democratic and independent voters . While the governor has been hampered by the George Washington Bridge scandal -- and seen his polling numbers with Democrats fall -- Fairleigh Dickinson 's polling director sees promise in these numbers for Christie . `` These numbers continue to provide a testament to his crossover appeal , even in light of the ongoing investigations that have dogged him for going on a year , '' said Krista Jenkins . `` Numbers like these can help him build support as he crisscrosses the country as head of the Republican Governors Association and enters the world stage . '' Correct the Record , an outside research and communications groups helping Clinton , said the fact that Clinton is tied with Christie in his home state bodes well for Democrats in 2016 . `` If Christie is the nominee , the Republicans will have to spend money to win their nominee 's home state , '' said Burns Strider , senior adviser to the group . `` Folks , Christie should be able to win his home state , and he ca n't guarantee it by any means . '' Both Clinton and Christie are seen as top-level contenders for their respective party 's presidential nomination in 2016 . Clinton has admitted to thinking about running and recently said she will make her decision near the start of 2015 . Christie has traveled the country as head of the Republican Governor 's Association and recently said that he would decide on a run late in 2014 or early in 2015 .
Poll gives Clinton 45 % of New Jersey electorate , compared to Christie 's 3 % . The 3 % split is within the poll 's margin of error , making the contest a statistical tie . Clinton topped Christie 's 8 % , outside another polls margin or error , in August . Clinton and Christie 's said they plan to make presidential decisions early in August .