RGA Congratulates Chris Christie

November 3, 2009

The Republican Governors Association congratulated Chris Christie for winning the New Jersey governor’s race.

“Chris Christie secured a major victory for the Republican Party tonight,” said RGA Chairman Governor Haley Barbour. “Defeating a deep-pocketed incumbent in a Democratic state like New Jersey is a tremendous accomplishment and signals the beginning of the GOP’s comeback.”

President Obama carried New Jersey by 15 points last year and a Republican hasn’t won statewide office since Governor Christie Todd Whitman was reelected in 1997. Media outlets confirm that Jon Corzine had already spent more than $28 million on his campaign as of October 27th. Chris Christie had opted into the state’s public financing system and was limited to spending just under $12 million on his general election campaign.

“The RGA knew Chris could only win by our investing significantly in this race – starting early,” Barbour said. “By focusing on the economy and taxes for more than 5 months, the RGA helped lay the groundwork for a Republican victory.”

The RGA spent more than $7.3 million in New Jersey and first went on broadcast television on May 9th. During the summer months, the RGA spent $5 million and led the message wars on TV and radio because Christie had to severely limit his spending due to his participation in the public financing system. The RGA’s efforts resulted in Chris Christie leading by 8 points or more through Labor Day.

The RGA continued its aggressive efforts through Election Day and doubled its ad buy in the closing week to ensure Republicans would be on TV at the same level as Corzine. The RGA was also the first to recognize the threat posed by Independent candidate Chris Daggett and began successfully targeting him among conservatives and independents three weeks ago. The headline of a Real Clear Politics analysis of the race declared: “With Christie Spending Limited, RGA to the Rescue.”

“Republicans haven’t defeated an incumbent Democrat in New Jersey in more than 15 years,” said RGA Vice Chairman Tim Pawlenty. “Chris Christie’s victory is a clear sign that Republicans can win in any state next year and the RGA is poised to help candidates across the country win in 2010.”