Christie nets 3 percent support in latest FDU poll

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While Christie has a lot of ground to make up in order to catch frontrunner Donald Trump and neurosurgeon Ben Carson, polling at 26 percent and 22 percent respectively, he’ll be able to secure a position on the main stage for the third Republican primary debate coming up later this month if he can maintain an average of at least 3 percent in national polls.

The upcoming debate, which will be carried live by CNBC, will take place on Oct. 28.

According to the poll, Christie also trails former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), businesswoman Carly Fiorina, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.).

“Among Republicans, this is clearly an outsider’s game so far. The fact that Trump and Carson — two personalities who are better known for their business and medical acumen — are polling so well reflects the frustration that Republican voters seem to have toward the political system,” said poll director and FDU professor Krista Jenkins.

The poll also looked at the Democratic primary challenge, finding that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton holds a considerable lead over U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), 45 percent to 23 percent.