Christopher Christie’s performance in the 12th congressional district and Barack Obama’s declining approval numbers in Central New Jersey is causing some Republicans to view U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-Hopewell) as potentially vulnerable this year – especially if 2010 winds up to be a favorable political environment for the national GOP. Christie beat Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine in the Holt district by ten percentage points, 52%-42%. Christie won 34 of the 43 towns in the district.
Two Republicans are seeking the nomination: Fair Haven Mayor Michael Halfacre, who got in the race early; and millionaire venture capitalist Scott Sipprelle, who is expected to announce within the next few weeks.
The 12th was designed to go Democratic as part of the bi-partisan congressional redistricting after the 2000 census. Holt has easily won re-election in a district that Obama won with 58% in the last election. Holt voted mostly with the Obama administration last year.
