Nov 4, 2009 5:18 am US/Eastern
Christie Gives GOP Stunning Win In N.J.
By Defeating Incumbent, Former U.S. Attorney Deals Blow To President Obama, Who Carried The State Easily In 2008
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Republican Chris Christie (C) speaks with patrons of the Summit Diner as wife Mary Pat (2-L) listens, during a campaign stop Nov. 3, 2009, in Summit, N.J.
Stephen Chernin/Getty Images
In the end, all the stumping in the world from the President of the United States wasn't going to stop regime change in New Jersey's highest office.
Republican Chris Christie ended Democrat Jon Corzine's four-year run in Trenton with a narrow victory on Tuesday. Independent Chris Daggett, thought of by many as the wildcard who could upset the order of things by siphoning off votes from Christie, finished well back.
With nearly all precincts reporting, Christie led Corzine 49 percent to 44 percent. The party started just after 11 p.m. in Parsippany.
"This election tonight is not about me. It's not about many of you. This election was and is about the state we love -- the great state of New Jersey," Christie said at his victory celebration.
"Because, for me and most of you, we've already had a great New Jersey life. It's up to us to make sure that our children and grandchildren have that chance for a great New Jersey life. If we continue on the path we're on that won't happen. But I stand here tonight full of hope that it will happen."
Corzine said he called Christie just before 11 p.m. Tuesday "and congratulated him on becoming New Jersey's next governor." He pledged to work with Christie to ensure a smooth transition.
Independent voters gave President Barack Obama a huge advantage in the state last year, but they heavily favored Christie on Tuesday.
Voters said their top concerns were the economy and jobs, followed by property taxes. Voters who said the economy was important favored Corzine, while voters who said taxes mattered most supported Christie.
"Tomorrow we will take back New Jersey back for our families. Tomorrow we will take back New Jersey for our friends," Christie said. "Tomorrow we begin to build that greater New Jersey for our children and grandchildren. I want my children to raise their children in this state. I want your children to raise their children in this great state.
"I will tell you, the campaign we just went through was easy compared to the tasks that will face us to fix this state. There are no easy answers to these difficult questions.
"Starting tomorrow, we are going to pick Trenton up and turn it upside down."
Christie's win will likely be perceived as a big defeat for the White House. President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden had stumped for Corzine several times during the campaign, and they had hoped the result would speak positively to the job they are doing in Washington.
In New Jersey, 60 percent of voters said Obama was not a factor in their vote. For those voters who said Obama was a factor, 19 percent said their vote for governor was to support him, while 20 percent said it was to express opposition.
In all, 38 percent of Corzine voters said their vote for the incumbent was to express support for Obama, while 59 percent said Obama was not a factor.
Among Christie backers, 39 percent said their vote for governor was to oppose the president.
High taxes, high unemployment, and high stakes was the theme of Election Day across the country. Voters were forced to make tough choices, with the most contentious race occurring in New Jersey in what was expected to be a tight race for the governor's chair.
It lived up to the advance billing.
Polls showed a dead heat in a state that tends to vote for Democrats. Some thought Daggett would spoil the race for Christie.
"I think now the voting is in the hands of the independents frankly," Daggett said.
But Daggett finished with just 6 percent of the vote.
Many New Jerseyans said they were eager for change in a state where property taxes are causing so much unrest.
"I'm struggling to pay my rent. I couldn't stay in my house, I couldn't afford it, not with the taxes the way they were," said "Jeanie," a Paramus resident who withheld her last name.
Ken Torsland, a Vietnam vet, told CBS 2 HD he was voting Republican across the board, save for a Democrat who is a friend. It's a referendum, he said, on President Obama's administration.
"I think Democrats are showing a total disregard to what I hear from friends, family, and people who surround me," he said.
Other said they want to keep the status quo during tough economic times.
"I think Mr. Corzine is more equipped to handle it," one voter said.
The race for governor of New Jersey was one of three bitter battles the White House was monitoring. The other two were the race for governor of Virginia, won by Republican Bob McDonnell and a duel for Congress in upstate New York.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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