By Emily Cadei, CQ Staff

New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine has spent more than three times as much as Republican rival Chris Christie on their neck-and-neck 2009 governor’s contest, new fundraising reports show.

The pre-election reports, released by the New Jersey Law Enforcement Commission, show that Corzine, a former Goldman Sachs executive and U.S. senator, has spent $16.8 million, compared to $5.4 million for Christie.

Independent Chris Daggett has spent $940,000.

Corzine’s spending, particularly on a barrage of ads attacking Christie’s record, have been instrumental in narrowing Christie’s lead in the polls. The race has tightened significantly in the past month — the latest polls show a virtual tie after Corzine trailed by double digits in the summer -- as Christie’s negative ratings among voters have shot up.

The incumbent Democrat reported just $20,000 in his closing balance, but can reach into his own deep pockets to help fund the the campaign from now until the Nov. 3 election. Corzine had $4.2 million in his bank account, while Daggett had $109,000.

Seeking to boost his until recently sagging re-election prospects, Vice President Joe Biden joined Corzine Wednesday at an AFL-CIO Legislative Conference in Atlantic City, followed by a fundraiser for the governor.

Christie had his own big-name surrogate event Tuesday when the New Jersey Environmental Federation came out in support of the Republican, citing his record fighting polluters during his time as U.S. attorney. The federation endorsed Corzine in 2005, but called his record in his first term “hugely disappointing.” It marked the first time the federation has endorsed a Republican candidate for governor in New Jersey.

A Rasmussen survey released Wednesday showed the race Christie leading at 47 percent, Corzine at 44 percent and Daggett at 6 percent.

The Oct. 5 telephone survey of 750 likely voters also showed that one-third, 33 percent, of likely voters are either undecided or say they could change their minds about how they will vote for governor. The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

CQ Politics rates the general election contest Leans Republican.

To follow the 2009 and 2010 governors’ races, check out CQ Politics’ election map.