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Obama government faces first test in upcoming elections

Article published on the 2009-11-03 Latest update 2009-11-03 13:22 TU

US President Barack Obama (R) speaks at a campaign rally for New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine
(Credit: Reuters)

Three elections in three different states on Tuesday could prove to be a litmus test for the Obama government, just one year after the President was elected. Voters in New Jersey and Virginia will elect a governor, and upstate New Yorkers are going to the polls to vote for a vacant House seat, which may be problematic for the Democratic-led Congress if a Republican is elected.

In New Jersey, incumbent Democratic Governor John Corzine is up against formidible Republican opponent Christopher Christie, as both have been neck-and-neck in the pre-election polls. The race is tight enough that President Barack Obama visited New Jersey on Sunday in order to campaign for Corzine.

To add to the suspense, a third independent candidate, Christopher Daggett, who Democratic observers thought would pull votes away from Christie, has lost momentum. Anti-Corzine votes look like they are firmly placed on Christie.

If Republicans take New Jersey, as well as the other probable Republican wins in Virginia and upstate New York, US President Barack Obama could have trouble getting Congress to back his health care and climate change bills currently on the table.

New Jersey is seen as a Democratic state, therefore a Republican Governor would show that the Obama administration is faltering on Capitol Hill.

Voting booths close in New York by 9pm, or 0300 universal time.