Christie Re-elected Governor of New Jersey
By David Madden and Cleve Bryan
ASBURY PARK, N.J., (CBS) -- A landslide victory for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who invites the rest of the nation to watch what happens over the next four years in the Garden State.
Governor Chris Christie thanked his supporters after a landslide victory. He never took his foot off the gas pedal, carrying a double digit lead throughout the entire campaign season. His message resounded strongly with moderates and independents, and he even won over some critics in the last four years.
"We stand here tonight showing that it is possible to put doing your job first, to put working together first, to fight for what you believe in, yet still stand by your principles and get something done for the people who elected you," he said.
Christie thanked State Senator Barbara Buono for running what he called a spirited campaign. During her concession speech, Buono voiced frustration at a lack of support from the national Democratic party.
"It was never about a party, or the pundits or the polls. It was always about the people. Wasn't it? And it's it always will be," she said.
More than a veiled suggestion of his possible political future came as Christie talked about the travails in Washington and how he invited the country to look at how New Jersey's government tries to work together -- and even succeeds sometimes.
"Under this government our first job is to get the job done and as long as I'm Governor, that job will always…always be finished," Christie said.
Considered by many to be the Republican front-runner for President in 2016, Christie sent a message to Washington tonight.
"I know that if we can do this in Trenton, New Jersey, maybe the folks in Washington, D.C. should tune in their TVs right now see how it's done," he said.
But no matter where the future takes Christie, he says governing New Jersey is his top priority.
"I did not seek a second term to do small things. I sought a second term to finish the job now watch me do it," he said.
Christie, laying out his objectives for a second term, says he wants to continue to grow jobs in the state and improve education.
And when it comes to Sandy recovery, he considers it a mission that won't be finished until everyone's back and he vowed to let nothing and no one stand in the way.
