Political analysts say Corzine, 62, now may be poised to pull an upset and keep the state in Democratic hands.

Polls show the race between Corzine and Christie too close to call, with Daggett in a distant third place.

At an afternoon rally in Bridgewater, Christie was joined by former Gov. Tom Kean and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, both Republicans. Most credit President Obama, at least in part, for the apparent surge of support."I think this election is about New Jersey," Christie told about 50 supporters at a restaurant in Monroe Township. "I don't think it has anything to do with President Obama."Corzine now has 43 to 38 percent lead among likely voters in the Quinnipiac University poll that was released released today. Independent candidate Christopher Daggett, who had been gaining momentum in some other recent polls, has 13 percent, with 5 percent undecided.

"You could see it coming. Gov. Jon Corzine's numbers crept steadily up and Christopher Christie's steadily shrank and now, for the first time, we have Corzine ahead," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute