Former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie, a conservative backed by the party establishment, won the Republican gubernatorial primary in New Jersey, defeating an even more conservative candidate, ex-Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan. Another conservative candidate, state Assemblyman Richard Merkt, finished a poor third.

Christie, who touts his crime-busting record, goes into the November general election a favorite over Gov. Jon Corzine (D), whose popularity declined along with the state's economy.

Click here for more on the GOP primary.

Since New Jersey governors have been allowed to run for a second term starting in the late 1940s, only two incumbents have gone down to defeat: Bill Cahill (R), in the 1973 GOP primary, and Jim Florio (D), in the 1993 general election.

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