New Republican governor takes office in NJ

[February 04, 2010]  TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Republican Chris Christie was sworn in Tuesday as New Jersey's 55th governor, vowing to deliver the far-reaching change he said voters elected him to bring about.

"You voted loudly and clearly for change, and you have entrusted us with what may be our last, best hope for a stronger New Jersey -- the New Jersey of our youth, full of hope and opportunity," Christie said in his inaugural address. "New Jersey, you voted for change and today change has arrived."

Christie takes over a state plagued by the nation's highest taxes, a deficit that could hit $10 billion by July and unemployment near 10 percent.

His swearing in marked a reminder of President Barack Obama's vulnerability on the same day another Northeastern election threatened to derail parts of his agenda.

In Massachusetts Tuesday, Republican Scott Brown won the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by the late Edward Kennedy. Obama campaigned for Democrat Martha Coakley, and the loss breaks the Democrats' filibuster-proof 60 vote majority in the Senate.

Obama and Vice President Joe Biden had campaigned for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine in the fall, but it wasn't enough to keep him in office for a second term. That loss was the first blow to Obama, followed by a Republican in Virginia winning the only other governor's race in November.

Christie, a 47-year-old former federal prosecutor, ran on a platform of smaller government and took shots at Corzine, a former Wall Street executive, for what he called poor economic stewardship. But Christie was criticized during the campaign for remaining vague about how he would solve New Jersey's chronic fiscal problems.

He seized on the dual themes of voter discontent and change in his 33-minute inaugural address.

"Rarely in New Jersey's history have we faced the challenges we face today," Christie said. "There is fear and uncertainty. But fear and uncertainty are not necessary and do not have to be permanent. We have the tools for a brighter future, if we change direction."

Corzine was on hand to witness his successor take the oath of office. Former Govs. Brendan Byrne, Tom Kean Sr., Christie Whitman, Jim Florio, Don DiFrancesco and Dick Codey also were in the front row.

Kim Guadagno was sworn in as the state's first lieutenant governor.

Christie takes charge of a government dominated by Democrats waiting to see exactly how he will balance the budget without breaking his campaign pledge to not raise taxes and to roll back others. New Jersey homeowners pay the nation's highest taxes, an average of $7,045 a year.

Christie returned to the campaign themes of restoring economic prosperity and improving urban education, drawing praise from Republicans and Democrats alike.

"We are in lockstep with the governor" on education, said Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who presides over the state's largest city. "We are going to support our public schools. We're going to create high levels of accountability."

Kean, who has known Christie since he was a 14-year-old campaign volunteer and has been advising Christie during the transition to power, said the new governor has shown tenacity and the capability to lead.

"He's tough. You better be tough for this job," Kean said. "Today, he didn't back way from anything. He's going right at the state's problems."

Christie will sign his first executive orders Wednesday that increase the state's fiscal transparency.

At a Mass Tuesday morning at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, Archbishop John Myers said Christie will need the wisdom of Solomon.

Donald Trump also attended the Mass in Newark, Christie's birthplace.

"He's going to be a great governor, which New Jersey could use. He will go down as the best governor there is," Trump said, adding that the two had been friends for a long time.

After the swearing in, Christie and Guadagno headed to the governor's mansion in Princeton for a private lunch, then ended the evening at a reception in Newark.

Guadagno praised Christie for selecting her as a running mate and noted that there were now two former federal corruption prosecutors running the state.

"Chris Christie has made us believe again," she said, then joked: "Heck, look -- the Jets are in the playoffs!"

The $500-a-plate event raised more than $1 million. The money will be used to cover the cost of the reception and give $300,000 to three charities selected by Christie.

On stage with his wife and four children, Christie thanked his supporters and vowed to clean up the state's tarnished government image.

"We will restore your hope, your faith and your trust in New Jersey," he said.

[Associated Press; By ANGELA DELLI SANTI]

Associated Press reporter Beth DeFalco in Newark contributed to this report.

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