Campaign update: N.J. GOV tied, Wexler to retire

A new Quinnipiac poll shows Republican Chris Christie (R) holding on to his lead in New Jersey’s governor’s race – barely. Christie leads Gov. Jon Corzine (D) 41-40, with independent Chris Daggett getting 14 percent. Almost all recent polling has this race a statistical tie, with some showing Corzine leading.
 
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) raised more than $2 million in the third quarter, thanks to a fundraiser with President Obama. Meanwhile, top Republican competitor Danny Tarkanian raised $270,000 in a little more than a month.
 
Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.) will be announcing today that he is stepping down to head up a foreign policy think tank. His seat should be easily retained by Democrats.
 
A new Democratic poll has both Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) and Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.) leading former Rep. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) by small margins in their race for Senate.

Dr. Ami Bera reports $335,000 raised in the third quarter for his run at Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.) -- an improvement over one of the strongest quarters in the nation in the second quarter.

Ethan Hastert raised a strong $225,000 for his race against Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.).