Christie sworn in as New Jersey governor

TRENTON - Christopher J. Christie was sworn in as New Jersey's 55th governor yesterday, saying Jersey resilience and determination can return a sense of optimism and hope to his home state.

Christie, 47, takes office at a time of widespread frustration with high taxes and mounting job losses, but in his inaugural address he returned over and over to his belief in the state's people, their guts and their heart. With those qualities and assured leadership, he said, better times are within reach.

"New Jersey, you voted for change. And today, change has arrived," Christie said in his speech at the Trenton War Memorial, steps from the Statehouse.

He repeated those four words - today, change has arrived - throughout his address.

Christie, a Republican who defeated incumbent Democrat Jon S. Corzine in November, said New Jersey faced steep challenges but had "the tools" to face them.

"The people of our state are nothing if not determined," said Christie, who singled out five everyday, charitable "heroes" he said exemplified the best of New Jersey. He vowed to also be resolute. Near the end of his speech, he said, "I will do exactly what I said I would do over the last year, no matter the obstacle or trial."

A forceful and pugnacious figure, Christie has made his Jersey roots and Jersey intensity signature pieces of his public persona. While many officials have promised to attack New Jersey's problems, Christie has said his brand of leadership would allow him to follow through on his plans to cut taxes and government spending.

"He laid himself on the line today," said former Gov. Thomas H. Kean Sr., a Republican elder statesman who has known Christie for more than 30 years.

Christie took the oath of office with his wife and four children by his side and relatives, colleagues, top lawmakers, and former governors in the audience.

State Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner, who worked with Christie in the U.S. Attorney's Office, administered the oath.

Kim Guadagno, elected with Christie in November, was sworn in as the state's first lieutenant governor.

They began their day in Newark, with a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and ended back in the state's largest city for an evening cocktail reception at the Prudential Center.

At the Statehouse, Corzine's name was removed from the glass door outside the governor's office, making room for Christie's.

Christie beat Corzine with a promise to use clear, muscular leadership to make New Jersey more affordable and to attract businesses.

"I am well aware of the expectations for me and this government," Christie said. Residents long for "the New Jersey of our youth, full of hope and opportunity."

The problems Christie inherits are well known - high unemployment, residential property taxes that average more than $7,000 a year, a massive budget deficit - but his message yesterday often turned to the positive.

"Our people are dispirited and wondering if our best days are truly still ahead of us," Christie said. "While the economic hour is dark, there are brighter days ahead."

He told residents, "Today, a new era of lower taxes and higher growth will begin."

He said he would bring change to cities with "broken schools and broken streets and broken dreams."

He pledged to cut government spending and "red tape" that hampered business. He said he would improve city schools by holding educators accountable and providing more options - a nod to his belief in charter schools and voucher programs.

Most of all, he said, he would make New Jersey "a place to call home with pride and confidence in the possibilities ahead."

As U.S. attorney, Christie was able to reshape his office and single-handedly set an agenda and execute. Now, he will have to work with a Democratic Legislature that in recent years has proven to be stubborn and sometimes hostile, even toward leaders from its own party.

If Christie is to keep his promises to cut taxes, it will likely require steep budget cuts, including to some cherished programs.

Sen. Richard J. Codey (D., Essex), a former governor and Senate president, said Christie has "a big personality."

"That can be good; that can be bad," Codey said. "You have to learn to pick your fights."

But Sen. Bill Baroni (R., Mercer), a close Christie ally, said the time was right for change, with new leaders in the Senate and Assembly joining the new governor.

Christie comes to office a week after a Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind poll found that 55 percent of state voters believe that New Jersey is on the wrong track. Exit polls on Election Day showed that Christie's victory, and Corzine's ouster, turned overwhelmingly on questions of taxes and the economy.

Christie is the first Republican to hold the governor's office since early 2002. He is also the first governor since Kean, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, to come to office with a young family. Kean said he advised Christie to remain in his home in Mendham, so his children, ages 6 to 16, can remain in the same schools.

Christie expects to commute from there to Trenton.

Christie's inaugural reception in the evening was planned as a relatively low-key affair, with a "Taste of New Jersey" theme including fare representing different regions of the state. The B Street Band, a tribute band to Christie favorite Bruce Springsteen, was the featured musical act.

Christie, born in Newark and raised in Livingston, rose to statewide prominence as New Jersey's U.S. attorney, most notably prosecuting scores of corruption cases.

But friends, including many with deep ties in New Jersey politics, said he had an interest in politics dating to his teens. For them, the inaugural was both a return to power for Republicans and a happy moment for a colleague.

"To see your friend up there and to take this oath for a job he's wanted for a long time is great, and it's a great feeling," said Baroni, who has known Christie for 13 years.

Kean recounted the oft-told tale of how Christie entered politics. Kean, then an assemblyman, spoke at Livingston High School, where Christie was a 14-year-old student.

Afterward, Christie said he wanted to get involved in politics. So his mother brought him to Kean's home and told Christie to knock on the door and ask what he would need to do to get a start. Kean, on his way to a campaign event, told the young Christie that if he was serious, he should join him right then for the trip. Christie accepted the offer, and volunteered on Kean's successful gubernatorial campaign.

Christie, Kean recalled, was not shy.

"He's tough," Kean said. "And you've got to be tough for this job."

Age: 47. Born Sept. 6, 1962, in Newark, N.J.

Grew up: Livingston, N.J.

Family: Married with two daughters and two sons.

Residence: Mendham.

Political experience: Republican. Morris County freeholder, 1995-97. Lost reelection primary in 1997; also lost primary for state Senate in 1995. Fund-raiser and New Jersey legal counsel for George W. Bush's 2000 presidential campaign.

Education: Bachelor's degree in political science from University of Delaware, 1984. Law degree from Seton Hall University, 1987.

Career experience: U.S. attorney for New Jersey, January 2002 until Dec. 1, 2008. Previously was a partner specializing in securities law and appellate practice at the Cranford-based firm of Dughi, Hewit & Palatucci.

Notable: As the state's top federal prosecutor, prosecuted more than 130 elected and appointed political officials - including former Newark Mayor Sharpe James, former State Sen. Wayne Bryant, and ex-Senate President John A. Lynch Jr. - without an acquittal.

On the issues: Proposed cutting income taxes across the board, as well as corporate taxes. Also said it would be a priority to restore property-tax rebates to homeowners who didn't receive them this year. Supports increased state spending on higher education. Said he would not sign a bill to allow gay marriage - and would support a constitutional ban on gay marriage if Gov. Corzine signed such a bill.

SOURCE: Associated PressEndText