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.
4 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Eschetic | Nov 29, 2012, 09:48 PM EST
Between the idiotic Republicans who would rather be ideologically "correct" than govern (and can't forgive Christie for GOVERNING the week of Sandy) and the responsible Republicans who insist that one week of responsible government working with the President doesn't make up for the rest of the term of self aggrandizing posturing, it's amazing that this governor can get RENOMINATED let alone re-elected. New Jersey-ites can only pray that their state's Democrats do THEIR job and come up with a solid candidate (Corey Booker, please?) so we can all work together to make Christie a one term failed memory.
PhlutiePhan | Nov 28, 2012, 11:48 AM EST
Cory Booker is a rising star. He will clean Christie's clock. As an independent who has been voting Republican, the governor made a big mistake in the way that he handled the issue with Romney. He is now viewed as a user and con artist who is not a team player.
Murph46 | Nov 28, 2012, 10:45 AM EST
What party will he run FOR?
seanfer7 | Nov 28, 2012, 10:12 AM EST
Only he can save twinkee