The Republican gubernatorial primary Tuesday in New Jersey was expected to be a contest between a former U.S. attorney and an anti-tax former small-town mayor.

Christopher Christie, who served as U.S. attorney from 2002 to December, is the establishment choice, with the largest campaign war chest and a 20-point lead in recent polls. Former Bogota, N.J., Mayor Steve Lonegan has a strong following among conservatives.

A third candidate, Assemblyman Rick Merkt, from the suburban Republican stronghold of Morris County, did not raise enough money to get into the four televised debates and is little known outside his district.

Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine, completing his first term, trails Christie in head-to-head polls. Corzine has token opposition in the Democratic primary from three little-known candidates.

The state's financial troubles and Corzine's attempts to deal with them by raising highway tolls and taxes and cutting services have made him unpopular with voters. But the Democrats have a strong edge in registrations, and Corzine, a former Goldman Sachs CEO with a large personal fortune, is already running ads attacking Christie.