Christie: 'Now is Not My Time'

Gov. Chris Christie will not enter the race for the Republican nomination for president, saying his loyalty to New Jersey overrides any political ambition.

Christie, in a 1 p.m. news conference at the Statehouse, said he recently reconsidered his long-held refusal to consider a run but ultimately decided that "now is not my time.

"I have a commitment to New Jersey I simply will not abandon," the governor said.

The prospect of a Christie candidacy has been rumored for months despite the governor's steady denials of interest. However, speculation intensified of late amid the perception of lackluster debate performances among the current crop of Republican contenders.

Christie admitted he seriously considered the calls for his candidacy, saying "I felt an obligation to earnestly consider their advice."

However, the first-term governor is "doing a job I love" and is "just not prepared to walk away" from New Jersey.

"My loyalty to this state is what it is," he said. "I know there still is much more we need to do."

Elected Officials React

Local elected officials largely expressed satisfaction with Christie's decision.

Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore said he's "glad he's going to finish the job" in New Jersey.

"I'm sure it was a difficult decision to make, considering the support he's received across the country," Gilmore said.

Brick Mayor Steve Acropolis said he called the governor's office this afternoon to express his pleasure that Christie will stay in New Jersey.

"Chris Christie would have been a very formidable candidate. But for selfish reasons, I'm pretty happy that he's staying here in New Jersey," Acropolis said.

"I think New Jersey needs him, although the country needs him as well."  

Howell Mayor Robert Walsh agreed.

"New Jersey's gain is the United States of America's loss," Walsh said. "I commend him."

Greg McGuckin, Assembly candidate for District 10 and longtime Toms River councilman, welcomed the news.

"I'm thankful he decided not to run, though I do believe he would have made a great candidate," McGuckin said. "And I feel that way for selfish reasons. I think he does a great job in Trenton. There's a lot of work to be done, and he's the right captain for this ship."

Lacey Mayor Gary Quinn said, "I think it was the right decision.

"There’s no doubt he’ll have a major impact on the national level but I think that’s further down the road."

Democratic Senate President Steve Sweeney said the state can get back to business now that Christie has ruled out a run.

“Thankfully, we can now move ahead and focus on the real issues that are impacting the people of this state. We need focused leadership in New Jersey on the issues that are of the utmost importance to the middle class. Every moment of the governor's day needs to be focused on how we can get New Jerseyans back to work and how we can grow and aid our business community. I stand ready to work with this governor on doing just that," Sweeney said.

Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono, also a Democrat, was not as diplomatic in her reaction.

"The governor clearly understood that he cannot run for president when his own house isn't in order. Unemployment is 9.4% — higher than the national average. Property taxes have increased since he took office. He has a budget deficit of almost $8 billion. He's forced hikes in college tuition, increased commuting costs and cut women's healthcare. Not the best record on which to base a presidential campaign," Buono said.

State Sen. Christopher Connors, R-9, said he had mixed emotions about Christie’s refusal to make a presidential bid.

“It brings a certain amount of disappointment, because I truly believe he would have been a very effective candidate for president,” he said. Still, he said, “I’m as gratified as my constituents are that he will finish his term as governor, and keep New Jersey going in what I feel is the right direction.”

State Sen. Sean Kean, R-11, said he was disappointed in Christie's decision, if not surprised.

“I think he’s the kind of guy that if he was going to do it, he would have already done it,’’ Kean said. “I didn’t think he was going to do it simply because it had been percolating for so long.’’

Kean said that he believes this will be good for the people of New Jersey and for the Republican Party because of the “impact he has made and his stewardship’’ which will put the GOP in a strong position when Christie runs for governor again in two years.

But Kean said that Christie obviously would have been his first choice for the Republican nomination for president and liked his chances.

“I think he would have blown away the field,’’ Kean said.

Future Run?

When questioned, Christie did not rule out a run in the future. For now, the governor said "New Jersey, whether you like it or not, you're stuck with me."

The governor didn't resist an opportunity to take a swipe at President Obama, saying the president had "failed the leadership test." But he said it was too early for him to make any endorsement of any of the current GOP contenders.

The governor indicated he would not be interested in the GOP nomination for vice president, saying he did not see himself as a "number two kind of guy." 

To read the full text of the governor's remarks, .

Editors Patricia Miller, Graelyn Brashear, Catherine Galioto, Daniel Nee, Keith Brown, Adam Hochron, Elaine Piniat and Nicholas Loffredo contributed to this report.