Published: November 03, 2009 09:01 pm      

Republican takes early lead in NJ governor race

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Republican Chris Christie has taken an early lead in a tight New Jersey governor’s race with Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine.

With 17 percent of precincts reporting about an hour after polls closed Tuesday, Christie had 52 percent of the vote and Corzine about 41.

Independent candidate Chris Daggett, who had been feared as a spoiler, had about 6 percent.

An Associated Press exit poll showed that the race was too close too call but that Daggett appeared to be out of the running.