Chris Christie will run for re-election next year - does not rule out presidential campaign in 2016

Blamed for Romney's loss in some quarters but defiant of all the nay-sayers

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New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie talks during a news conference at a fire house, Monday, Nov. 26, in Middletown, N.J.

Photo by AP

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New Jersey Governor Chris Christie plans to run for re-election.

According to the Associated Press, on Monday Christie announced his intention to seek a second term, telling his campaign treasurer to file papers so he can begin hiring campaign staff. A formal announcement is expected in January.

'It would be wrong for me to leave now. I don't want to leave now,' Christie, 50, said Monday. 'We have a job to do. That job won't be finished by next year.'

'The public needs to know that I'm in this for the long haul, that the person who has helped to lead them through the initial crisis wants to help lead them through the rebuilding and restoration of our state,' he said at a news briefing at a fire house in Middletown, where he had come to thank first responders and volunteers.

The gubernatorial election will be held a year from now.

Prominent Democrats, including Newark Mayor Cory Booker, have discussed running for their party's nomination, but to date none have announced their candidacy.

A recent public opinion poll reportedly ranked Booker as the Democrat who could come closest to beating the Republican governor.

A new poll released on Tuesday shows six out of ten registered voters now support a second term for Christie, up 15 points since September.

Christie carried New Jersey by 86,000 votes in 2009, an upset win over Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine.

But fellow Republicans have lambasted him in recent weeks for literally embracing President Barack Obama as the two toured New Jersey's storm damaged coastline days before the presidential election. Some even blame Christie for tipping a close election to the president.

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