A new FDU/PublicMind poll shows former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie (R) with a narrower edge over Gov. Jon Corzine (D) in this year's gubernatorial race than other polls. But the governor still has ground to make -- up even among Democrats -- if he hopes to be re-elected, as a strong majority say the state is headed in the wrong direction.

General Election Matchup
Christie 45 (+3 from April)
Corzine 39 (+6)
Undecided 15 (-10)

Only 31 percent have a favorable opinion of the governor, compared to 54 unfavorable. Christie was unfamiliar to 13 percent of voters, and another 28 percent hadn't made up their mind.

Asked about the direction of the state, 21 percent of voters think it's moving in the right direction -- the lowest number in three years -- while 66 percent say it's on the wrong track. Corzine's job approval rating is also the lowest in more than two years of recent polling.

Job Approval
Corzine 36/49
Obama 61/29

Pollster Peter Woolley points out that Corzine is showing some weakness in his own base, one-in-five Democrats backing Christie; his approval rating among Democrats is just 48 percent, compared to 86 percent for Obama. And 27 percent of voters who approve of Obama also back Christie.

Still, when asked who they think will win the election, 46 percent say Corzine, while 38 percent say Christie. That's at least the second such poll to show voters preferring one candidate but expecting the other to win.