TRENTON: Republican Chris Christie has taken an early lead in a tight New Jersey governor's race with Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine (KOHR'-zyn).

With 32 percent of precincts reporting Tuesday night, Christie had 51 percent of the vote and Corzine about 42.

Independent candidate Chris Daggett, who had been feared as a spoiler, had about 5 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.