As I mentioned yesterday it was a foregone conclusion that Chris Christie would be re-elected to a second term as Governor of New Jersey and if there was any suspense it ended quickly. 

Governor Chris Christie arrives to speak at his election night event after winning a second term at the Asbury Park Convention Hall
Governor Chris Christie arrives to speak at his election night event after winning a second term at the Asbury Park Convention Hall ( Kena Betancur/Getty Images)
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People wait to hear New Jersey Governor Chris Christie speak at his election night event at the Asbury Park Convention Hall
People wait to hear New Jersey Governor Chris Christie speak at his election night event at the Asbury Park Convention Hall Kena Betancur/Getty Images)
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One minute after the polls closed at 8pm Christie was projected the winner and he would go on to post a landslide victory over Democratic challenger Barbra Buono.  Christie collected more than 60% of the vote statewide to 38% for the former state senator.

As expected his victory in the shore area was even more decisive, especially in Ocean County where Christie garnered nearly 76% of the vote.  Many believe his victory speech in Asbury Park was more than just that but possibly a kickoff to a run for President in 2016.  There will be quite a bit of speculation from news analysts in days and weeks to come.

To the surprise of nobody last night was a big night for Republicans in Ocean County as they swept to victory on a state-wide and county level by at least a 2-to-1 margin in each race.   All of the winners were incumbents with one exception, that being the race for Ocean County Sheriff.  Toms River Police Chief Mike Mastronardy collected 68% of the vote and won easily over George “Bob” Armstrong.

Mastronardy is expected to retire from the police department and be sworn in as the new sheriff in January.

There was a noteworthy win for Democrats in the lone Mayoral election in Ocean County as John Ducey easily beat Joe Sangiovanni in the hotly-contested race in Brick Township.  Ducey won by more than 5,000 votes and was joined on the victory stand by his three running mates for Township Council to make it a good night for Brick Democrats.

The only other victorious Democrat in the county was Nancy Koury, who was re-elected to one of two council seats in Seaside Park.

Beside’s Christie’s victory the second biggest story coming from last night might have been New Jersey voters overwhelmingly approving a change to the state constitution to raise the minimum wage by a dollar to $8.25 an hour beginning in January.  Many business owners lobbied against the measure and insist the result will be fewer hours for minimum wage earners which in turn will cost them money.

Labor groups supported the measure which will also allow future wage increases based on inflation and other factors.

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