The 2008 New Jersey Democratic presidential primary took place February 5, 2008, also known as Super Tuesday. With 107 pledged delegates at stake, New Jersey was a significant battleground in the Democratic nomination race between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Hillary Clinton won the primary amid record-breaking turnout. Her margin of victory was narrower than early polling had projected but contradicted Barack Obama’s late surge in polling and strong performance in urban areas.
Campaign Hillary Clinton was considered the frontrunner to win New Jersey's primary given her strong name recognition and institutional support in the state. She had significant endorsements from key state figures, including Governor Jon Corzine, Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts and several county Democratic chairpersons. The vast majority of Democratic state legislators also endorsed Clinton.
Barack Obama secured endorsements from prominent local leaders, such as Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy. These endorsements were viewed as bolstering Obama's appeal among urban and younger voters.
Polling
Aggregate polls Source of pollaggregationDatesadministeredHillaryClintonBarackObamaOther/UndecidedMarginRealClearPoliticsJanuary 30–February 4, 200848.3%40.6%11.1%Clinton +7.7%
Poll source Date(s)administeredSamplesizeMargin oferror Strategic VisionSeptember 29–October 1, 2006<800 LV±3.0%1%35%12%1%43%8%Strategic VisionOctober 27–29, 2006<800 LV±3.0%1%31%8%14%1%37%8%Strategic VisionNovember 2–4, 2006<800 LV±3.0%33%9%15%1%26%9%Quinnipiac UniversityJanuary 16–22, 2007461 RV±4.6% 6%30% 8%16% 1%22%17%Quinnipiac UniversityFebruary 20–25, 2007454 RV±4.6% 3%41% 5%19% 1%16%15%Monmouth University/GannettApril 11–16, 2007451 LV±4.6% 3%41%13%22% 2% 1%18%Strategic VisionApril 25–27, 2007<800 LV5%40%12%23%2%3%15%Quinnipiac UniversityJune 26–July 2, 2007575 RV±4.1%3%46%8%19%4%3%15%2%37%6%15%4%21%13%Strategic VisionJuly 13–15, 2007<800 LV3%46%10%20%7%3%11%Strategic VisionAugust 24–26, 2007<800 LV3%49%8%22%5%2%11%Quinnipiac UniversitySeptember 18–23, 2007406 RV±4.9%3%46%7%15%1%13%12%Strategic VisionSeptember 28–30, 2007<800 LV2%52%7%21%5%2%11%Monmouth University/GannettSeptember 27–30, 2007478 LV±4.5%2%42%7%23%1%3%21%Quinnipiac UniversityOctober 9–15, 2007343 RV±5.3%2%46%9%20%3%4%14%Quinnipiac UniversityDecember 5–9, 2007387 RV±5.0%3%51%7%17%1%5%12%Monmouth/GannettJanuary 9–13, 2008475 LV±4.5%42%9%30%3%17%Quinnipiac UniversityJanuary 15–22, 2008464±4.6%49%10%32%2%7%Survey USAJanuary 30–31, 2008642±3.9%51%39%10%Greenberg Quinlan RosnerJanuary 30–31, 2008600±4.0%1%44%3%38%1%3%11%Reuters/C-SPAN/ZogbyJanuary 31–February 2, 2008868±3.4%43%42%2%14%Survey USAFebruary 2–3, 2008706±3.8%52%41%4%3%
Results
Key: Withdrewprior to contest 2008 New Jersey Democratic presidential primaryThe Green PapersCandidateVotesPercentageNational delegatesNew York Times Election Guide 2008 Hillary Clinton 613,500 53.76% 59 Barack Obama 501,372 43.93% 48 John Edwards 15,728 1.38% 0 Joe Biden 4,081 0.36% 0 Bill Richardson 3,366 0.29% 0 Dennis Kucinich 3,152 0.28% 0Totals1,141,199100.00%107
Analysis 2008 New Jersey Democratic presidential primaryDemographic subgroupObamaClinton % of total voteTotal vote4454100Sex by raceWhite men395825White women277234Black men851510Black women811414Latino men36625Latino women26747All other races38585Age17–29 years old59391330–44 years old50472945–59 years old38603560 and older356323ReligionProtestant/Other Christian564035Catholic286938Jewish37639Something else61358None514911Family incomeLess than $50,000405829$50,000 or more455271Which issue is the most important facing the country?The economy445447The war in Iraq455131Health care425618Candidate quality that matters mostCan bring about needed change643552Cares about people like me434613Has the right experience39426Has the best chance to win in November40608
See also 2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries 2008 New Jersey Republican presidential primary
References
External links Official state totals (not yet fully updated)