Chris Christie to Run for NJ Governor

Hmm. This may be a Republican who actually has a shot to win in New Jersey. Considering the fiscal mess the state is in as a result of the disastrous McGreevey-Corzine reign of error, anyone who offers hope of restoring sanity to the state budget should be welcome.

Granted, the unions and public employees are so powerful and exert so much control it'll get ugly fast. Especially in this state, when every Republican faces the media and Democrat onslaught over abortion and gun control, two red herrings when we have more pressing issues.

Former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie said he is filing papers today saying he is a candidate for New Jersey governor this year.

In an e-mail to supporters, Christie said he plans a formal announcement in the first week in February.

"We can fix our broken state and make it more affordable for all New Jersey families," Christie wrote.

The popular 46-year-old Republican from Morris County is considered by some to be the strongest possible challenger to Democratic incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine. Christie's filing comes after a headline-grabbing run as a corruption-busting prosecutor who ended the careers of some of New Jersey's most powerful politicians.

Corzine's office had no immediate comment.

Christie was not immediately available for comment. In his e-mail, he lamented the economic and political conditions in the state.

"New Jersey's taxes have become so unaffordable that more families are leaving our state than moving here," he wrote. "Our state's business tax climate is ranked 50th in the nation and has become so unattractive to employers that only government jobs are growing in New Jersey.

"Yet nothing in Trenton gets done to fix these problems."

Corzine has been a total disaster and only ran for Governor because he was bored being one of 10 in Washington. Still considering he spent about $160 million to win his last two elections, if he has any desire to run again he'll likely again empty to vault to remain Governor and completely run New Jersey into the ground.

God help us.

One other note. In the post-presidential years, only Virginia and New Jersey have gubernatorial races so they usually draw national interest. A Republican winning in New Jersey could be significant, especially if Barack Obama falters this year, and it could help boost GOP morale.