County Residents Pleased Christie's Staying in New Jersey

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced Tuesday that —and residents, on the whole, agree that he has made the correct decision.

“I think it was a smart move on his part,” said Warren resident Joe Morales. “He said he is not ready and that he has to finish his job in New Jersey.”

Many residents said they agree he should not be running for president at this time, and would prefer that he continue his term as governor in New Jersey.

“He still has work to do here,” said Bridgewater resident Pat Mancuso. “I think he would make a very good president, and he would have my vote. And I would support him if he ran for governor again.”

“But I think he needs more experience right now,” she added.

Kirsten Rasky, of Monroe Township, said she is pleased that Christie has decided against running for president at this time.

“We need him here,” she said. “I like what he’s doing in New Jersey.”

For some, they are pleased Christie is not running, but not because they prefer he stay in the state.

“I don’t think he’d be good on a national level,” said Basking Ridge resident Bill DeLorenzo. “I don’t like his politics. I don’t think he’s doing any harm to the state, but there are some decision-making principles he has that I don’t believe in.”

Judy Hnat, of Asbury, said she believes Christie has proven he is capable of being a governor, but she has been turned off by the way he gets things done and the way he interacts with others. She said she has a “hard time imagining him in the UN.”

“If it was a woman in office, she would have been run out of town talking like he talks,” she said, adding that as a registered Independent with a background voting Democrat, she would not support Christie running for either president or another term as governor. “If he is serious about running next time, he needs more diplomacy and polish.”

Hillsborough resident Michael Adler said he would support Christie running for president down the road, but at this point, it is not a good time.

“He hasn’t been a governor for long,” he said. “He’s making his imprint now, and he did a good job with all the unfortunate flooding.”

“But it was a good move at this point to not run, he should focus on New Jersey,” he added.

For many, they are hoping Christie spends the rest of his time in office trying to lower taxes and do other work to take care of New Jersey.

“I hope he gets rid of some of the waste, especially in the teachers union area,” Morales said. “I hope he reduces taxes and attracts more businesses to New Jersey.”

“If he does all that, he can run for president,” he added.

And Rasky said she would like to see an elimination of departments that are not needed in the state, while also “cleaning up the mess” the state is in.

DeLorenzo—who, as a self-professed progressive liberal voter, said he is not a fan of Christie’s politics—is hoping the governor does not cut back on environmental issues.

“And I don’t think Christie recognizes the need for infrastructure, and education as a basis of New Jersey,” he said. “I think he’s tied up in the right wing.”

Adler also said he would like to see a reduction in taxes, a step toward taking care of the state’s beaches and an improvement of the job situation.

“Down the road, I would support Christie running for another term as long as he achieves what he says he wants to,” he said.

And Hnat, with a background in teaching, said she believes Christie needs to do something about education in the state.

“If he’s going to continue chopping at the budget, Christie has to do something for education,” she said.

Residents said they are not entirely sure where this leaves the Republican party as it heads toward the primaries to determine its candidate in the 2012 presidential race.

DeLorenzo said he is not entirely thrilled with any of the candidates that have been presented thus far.

“I think they’re looking for someone better than Mitt Romney, and they still need someone else,” he said. “I don’t think Christie’s it.”

Hnat said she is glad she will not have to participate in the Republican primary elections.

“If it is down to Rick Perry or Romney, I’m glad I’m not going to cast my vote,” she said. “If I have to vote for the lesser of two evils, I don’t know.”

“I prefer Romney on his state record, but he has that whole flip flop thing,” she added. “It’s all about compromise in my view.”

And Adler said that, if nothing else, at least Christie has gotten his name out to the larger nation.

“This opens the door for someone else to run, but it’s good Christie got his name out,” he said. “He’s not ready to run, but without running, people are suddenly aware of him.”

“And in four years from now, maybe they will remember him,” he added.