Exploring a 2016 match

Hillary Rodham Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State, speaks in a panel discussion, 'Equality for Girls and Women: 2034 Instead of 2134?' at the Clinton Global Initiative, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014 in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) more >

Democratic 2016 frontrunner Hillary Clinton tops New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie 50-40 percent among all Garden State voters, said a Quinnipiac University poll Wednesday that examines a potential race for the White House between the two titans in their respective parties.

Women prefer the former secretary of state, U.S. senator and first lady by 20 points, while men are more evenly split, at 43 percent for Mrs. Clinton and 46 percent for Mr. Christie, who is in his second term in Trenton.

New Jersey voters give Mr. Christie one of his lowest job approvals ratings to date, at 46 percent who approve versus 45 percent who disapprove.

The straight-talking governor is mulling a presidential bid as he tries to move on from a scandal that roiled the start of his second term, when it became clear that top aides of his had a hand in lane closures that tied up traffic to the George Washington Bridge, perhaps as political retribution against Democrats.

Quinnipiac says Mrs. Clinton would top other GOP contenders in hypothetical races, holding a 53-32 percent edge over former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and 55-31 percent against Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky.

'The adopted daughter next door whips the native son when it comes to presidential politics in New Jersey,' said Maurice Carroll, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. 'Gov. Christopher Christie gives former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton more of a battle in New Jersey, but a huge lead among women voters keeps the lady from Chappaqua, New York, ahead of the home-state governor.'

'The other Republicans hardly register,' Mr. Carroll added. 'Sure, it's a blue state but, beyond that, New Jersey women voters don't like former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush or Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky at all.'