In his bid for re-election, New Jersey’s Democratic Governor Jon Corzine trails Republican challenger Chris Christie by nine percentage points. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Garden State voters shows Christie with 47% of the vote and Corzine with 38%.

The Governor does better when matched against Republican Steve Lonegan. In that case, it’s Lonegan with 42% and Corzine just a point behind at 41%.

These numbers, while disappointing for an incumbent, are actually an improvement for Corzine. In March, as the Governor announced announcing his budget plan including $916 million in new and increased taxes, Corzine trailed Christie by fifteen points and was eight points behind Lonegan.

Just 13% of New Jersey voters favor raising the state’s income tax to help balance the budget. Seventy-four percent (74%) are opposed.

By a 48% to 36% margin, voters favor cuts in state services. Most Republicans and unaffiliated voters favor cuts in state services. A plurality of Democrats do not.

Christie and Lonegan are the frontrunners in the race for the Republican nomination. They met earlier this week in their first debate before the June 2 Primary. Rasmussen Reports polling shows Christie with the lead in the Primary race.

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New Jersey polls often shows Republican candidates polling well in the spring and then shows Democrat gaining ground in the fall. A Republican has not won a statewide election in the Garden State since 1997. On a generic basis, 48% of New Jersey voters would like to see a Democrat as Governor while just 34% would prefer a Republican. That political gravity is almost certain to help the incumbent as Election Day draws near.

Corzine may also get a boost from President Obama—64% of New Jersey voters approve of the way the President is handling his job. That figure includes 47% who Strongly Approve. Just 25% Strongly Disapprove.

As for Corzine, just 9% Strongly Approve of the way he’s performed as Governor while 38% Strongly Disapprove. Bleak as those numbers are, they do reflect an improvement since March.

Overall, 40% say they at least somewhat approve of the job Corzine’s been doing. That’s up seven points in two months.

When it comes to personal favorability ratings, Christie comes out on top. Fifty-one percent (51%) have at least a somewhat favorable view of him. Forty-four percent (44%) say the same about Corzine and 43% hold that view of Lonegan.

None of the three have strong followings. Just 13% have a Very Favorable opinion of Christie while 11% are that enthusiastic about Corzine or Lonegan.

However, the Republicans get a boost from the fact that 33% have a Very Unfavorable opinion of their Governor. Just 9% are that negative about Christie, 12% offer that opinion about Lonegan. Not surprisingly, the Republican candidates are less well known and the Democratic campaign will certainly do its best to fill in the blanks for voters.

All this suggests that it’s premature to write Corzine’s political obituary before his Republican opponent is decided upon and better known.

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