Christie’s Big Win Shows Voters Trust Him on Economy

Gov. Chris Christie coasted to re-election even as voters split over whether the economy had gotten better or worse during his first term. Despite their concerns about the economy, voters said they still had confidence in the governor’s handling of it.

Christie dominated Democrat state Sen. Barbara Buono on Tuesday in an election that was never in doubt. Christie had 60 percent to Buono’s 38 percent.

No Republican running statewide had reached 50 percent of vote since George H.W. Bush in 1988. Christie did it by expanding his support among a number of groups that Republicans traditionally find it hard to win over.

This, in a state that President Barack Obama carried a year ago by more than 17 points, his biggest margin in the nation.

“Thank you, New Jersey, for making me the luckiest guy in the world,” Christie said in a victory speech late Tuesday in the shore town of Asbury Park.

After a campaign that centered more on his record and personality than his agenda for a second term, he told supporters that he has big plans for education reform and tax cuts, among other issues.

“I did not seek a second term to do small things,” he said. “I sought a second term to finish the job. Now watch me do it.”

Buono told supporters in her hometown of Metuchen, on the fringes of the New York area, shortly after polls closed that she had called Christie to congratulate him. She noted they had their differences but added, “when it comes down to it, we’re just two parents who want to see the best for our children’s future.”

Christie saw double-digit increases in support from his election in 2009 from Democrats (an increase of 24 points), liberals (22 points), Hispanics (19 points), those without college degrees (14 points), suburban residents (14 points), those with household incomes under $100,000 (13 points) and blacks (12 points), exit polls showed.

Fifty-nine percent said the economy is either not so good or poor and voters were divided over whether the state’s economy is either better or worse today than it was four years ago.

Buono edged Christie among those who feel the state’s economy is worse today than four years ago (54 percent to 43 percent). However, 64 percent approved of Christie’s handling of the economy.

New Jersey voters easily approved two ballot questions. One raises the minimum wage by $1, to $8.25 per hour, starting Jan. 1 and allows automatic cost-of-living increases based on inflation.

Voters returned incumbents of both parties to their seats in the Legislature, with Republicans making some gains but Democrats retained control of both houses with a handful of races too close to call.

This article appeared in print on page 20 of the November 7th, 2013 edition of Hamodia.