Gov. Jon Corzine is slightly ahead for the first time in the New Jersey governor’s race, according to a poll relesed today. The Quinnipiac University Poll found Corzine leading Republican challenger Chris Christie 43-38 percent among likely voters, with independent Chris Daggett at 13 percent. Christie had 41 percent, Corzine 40 percent, and Daggett 14 percent in an Oct. 14 Quinnipiac poll. Other recent polls have found the race a toss-up. Two additional polls are expected this week.

The telephone poll of 1,267 likely voters was conducted Oct. 20-26. The poll has a sampling error margin of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points.

The election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Some undecided New Jersey voters are so sick of politics-as-usual that they’re considering rejecting both major-party candidates for the little-known independent.

Half of the 10 undecided voters who participated in a Monmouth University-sponsored focus group in Edison said they are leaning toward Daggett. However, they may change their minds because they don’t think Daggett can win.

The voters said they are disappointed with how Corzine has run the state and doubtful Christie would do better.

They said Christie’s campaign has offered few specifics. Gus Brandstetter of Middletown said he’s been waiting to hear Christie’s plans, but so far hasn’t. AP