A new Rasmussen survey in Virgina shows Terry McAuliffe (D) has jumped to a 17-point lead over Ken Cuccinelli (R) in the Virginia gubernatorial race, 50% to 33%. Libertarian candidate Robert Sarvis is a distant third with 8%.

A new Public Policy Polling survey of early voters in the Virginia Governor’s race finds Terry McAuliffe (D) has opened up a large early lead over Ken Cuccinelli (R) among those who have already cast ballots, 57% to 39%.

Rick Santorum is signing up volunteers for a “strikeforce” to help Ken Cuccinelli (R) in his bid to become governor of Virginia, Politico reports.

Right Wing Watch has Santorum’s plea.

A new Quinnipiac poll in New York City find Bill de Blasio (D) now leads Joseph Lhota (R) in the race for mayor by an incredible 44 points among likely voters, 68% to 24%.

The conservative Charlottesville Daily Progress endorsed Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) for Virginia governor — even though he isn’t on the ballot.

The lack of excitement by conservatives is just one more indication of why Ken Cuccinelli (R) is trailing Terry McAuliffe and why it’s increasingly likely he’ll lose the race.

The Newark Star Ledger endorses Gov. Chris Christie (R) calling him “the most remarkable political talent America has seen since Bill Clinton. If you haven’t witnessed his performance at a town hall meeting yet, make a point of it. You will come away convinced there is a sensible middle ground in America after all.”

The Richmond Times Dispatch decided not to endorse a candidate for Virginia governor.

“The major-party candidates have earned the citizenry’s derision. The third-party alternative has run a more exemplary race yet does not qualify as a suitable option. We cannot in good conscience endorse a candidate for governor.”

“In a city obsessed with baseball and politics, baseball almost always wins — at least when it comes to voters’ attention,” the Boston Globe reports.

“The race to succeed Mayor Thomas M. Menino has already been overshadowed by a run of unrelated events, from the Marathon bombings to the trial of gangster James “Whitey” Bulger. Now, in the final stretch, mayoral finalists John R. Connolly and Martin J. Walsh find themselves fighting for the spotlight. In October, it’s tough to compete with the bat of David Ortiz or the glove of Dustin Pedroia.”

E.W. Jackson (R) “is facing new challenges as his campaign for lieutenant governor of Virginia enters its final weeks,” the Washington Post reports.

“According to interviews and campaign finance reports, Jackson’s campaign has struggled with basic management issues, including financial accounting. And more recently, vivid details of his escape from deprivation in a Chester, Pa., foster home — the emotional core of his stump speech — have been challenged by two women who were there.”

A new NBC4/NBC News/Marist poll finds Ken Cuccinelli (R) slipping further behind Terry McAuliffe (D) in the race for Virginia governor, 46% to 38% among likely voters. Libertarian Robert Sarvis gets 9 percent.

McAuliffe’s lead is 3 points wider than a month ago when he was ahead by 43% to 38%.

Key finding: “The Republican Party brand appears to be badly damaged in the commonwealth – 62% said they had an unfavorable view of the party, while just 33% said they viewed the party favorably. Among independents, it was even worse. By a 71% to 23% margin, the GOP was viewed negatively.”

A new Quinnipiac poll in New Jersey finds Gov. Chris Christie (R) buring challenger Barbara Buono (D) by 29 points among likely voters, 62% to 33%.

Cory Booker (D) defeated Steve Lonegan (R) to become New Jersey’s newest U.S. senator, according to projections by the Associated Press.

Roll Call: “The rise to the Senate is the latest move for a politician whose ambitions are believed to reach even higher. He has already been mentioned as a potential vice presidential running mate in 2016.”

New York City mayoral candidate Joe Lhota’s (R) latest television ad warns the city will plunge into violence if Bill de Blasio (D) is elected mayor, Politicker reports.

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Boston Globe:
“Katherine Clark (D) bested six Democratic rivals Tuesday,
winning her party’s nomination in the race to succeed Edward J. Markey
in the US House of Representatives and setting her on course to likely
become the state’s newest member of Congress.”

A new Quinnipiac poll in New Jersey finds Cory Booker (D) leads Steve Lonegan (R) in tomorrow’s U.S. Senate race by 14 points, 54% to 40%.

A new Wason Center for Public Policy poll in Virginia findsTerry McAuliffe leading Ken Cuccinelli for governor among likely voters, 46% to 39%, with Libertarian candidate Robert Sarvis at 11%.

Said pollster Quentin Kidd: “Most voters say neither candidate bears any responsibility for the shutdown, but among the 13% who cast blame, far more blame Cuccinelli (47%) than McAuliffe (7%). Likely voters who are affected by the shutdown or who know someone affected prefer McAuliffe to Cuccinelli, 49% to 34%.”

A new Rutgers poll in New Jersey finds Cory Booker (D) leading Steve Lonegan (R) in the U.S. Senate race by 22 points, 58% to 36%.

The special election is on Wednesday.

A new Monmouth poll in New Jersey finds Cory Booker (D) leading Steve Lonegan (R) in the U.S. Senate race by 10 points, 52% to 42%.