2013 New Jersey Gubernatorial Election: Chris Christie's Decisive Victory
The 2013 New Jersey gubernatorial election saw the incumbent Republican Governor Chris Christie secure a commanding victory to retain his office. Facing a challenge from Democratic State Senator Barbara Buono, Christie leveraged strong polling and broad support to win a second term in a state often characterized by its complex political leanings.
Key Facts
- Winner: Chris Christie (Republican) with 60.30% of the vote.
- Opponent: Barbara Buono (Democratic) with 38.19% of the vote.
- Total Votes for Christie: 1,278,932.
- Total Votes for Buono: 809,978.
- Primary Dominance: Christie won the Republican primary with 91.91% of the vote; Buono won the Democratic primary with 88.10%.
- Key Shift: Union County flipped from Democratic to Republican during this election cycle.
The Path to the General Election
Republican Primary
Governor Chris Christie entered the primary as the clear favorite. He faced former Atlantic City Councilman Seth Grossman. Christie dominated the contest, receiving 205,666 votes (91.91%) compared to Grossman's 18,095 votes (8.09%).
Democratic Primary
The Democratic path was marked by a significant narrowing of the field. While several high-profile figures were initially considered or mentioned—including U.S. Senator-elect Cory Booker, former Governor Richard Codey, and future Governor Phil Murphy—Barbara Buono emerged as the nominee. Buono, a state senator and former majority leader, secured 173,714 votes (88.10%) in the primary.
General Election Dynamics
The general election featured Chris Christie and his running mate, Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, against Barbara Buono and her running mate, Milly Silva. Other candidates included Kenneth R. Kaplan of the Libertarian Party and Steve Welzer of the Green Party of New Jersey.
Christie's campaign drew support from a diverse array of organizations, including various Korean American chambers of commerce, the New Jersey Food Council, and several police benevolent associations. Buono's campaign was backed by major labor unions, including the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) and the American Federation of Teachers New Jersey, as well as advocacy groups like Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey.
Throughout the campaign, polling consistently favored the incumbent. By late October, Quinnipiac polling showed Christie at 61% and Buono at 33%, a trend that held steady through the final days of the election.
Election Results Analysis
The final tally reflected a landslide victory for the Republican incumbent. Christie's strength was evident across most of the state's congressional districts, though Buono maintained strongholds in the 8th and 10th districts.
A notable geographic shift occurred in Union County, which flipped from Democratic to Republican control. This shift highlighted Christie's ability to appeal to voters outside of traditional Republican strongholds.
The following table summarizes the primary and general election outcomes:
| Candidate | Party | Primary Vote % | General Vote % | Total General Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Christie | Republican | 91.91% | 60.30% | 1,278,932 |
| Barbara Buono | Democratic | 88.10% | 38.19% | 809,978 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2013 New Jersey gubernatorial election?
Incumbent Republican Governor Chris Christie won the election with 60.30% of the total vote.
Who was the Democratic nominee in 2013?
The Democratic nominee was Barbara Buono, a state senator and former state senate majority leader.
Which county notably flipped parties in this election?
Union County flipped from Democratic to Republican during the 2013 election.
What was the margin of victory in the general election?
Chris Christie won by a margin of approximately 22.11 percentage points over Barbara Buono.
Who were the running mates for the major candidates?
Chris Christie ran with Kim Guadagno, while Barbara Buono ran with Milly Silva.