Hillsborough Residents: Christie Needed in NJ

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie cited unfinished work in his home state as a reason he won't run for the presidency in 2012—and most Hillsborough residents agree with his choice.

"I guess he is making the decision on what he feel is best for himself and the state of New Jersey," New Jersey Assmeblyman Pete Biondi, who lives in Hillsborough, said. "I think it's good for New Jersey, that we're able to let him finish what he started, as far as fiscal sanity."

"I fully support that comment that he needs to complete what he started," Biondi added. "That's the bottom line. You don't leave something unfinished."

The decision, many said, isn't just for the state and its residents. It's for the whole country. For resident Barbara Spencer, Gov. Christie's decision follows through on a promise to the state.

"He made a promise to stay and to the job in New Jersey," she said. "I feel that I like a lot of things he's done but I feel that he is not ready for this (the presidency). I think right now, we're seeing what happens when someone is not prepared for the presidency.

"I am a conservative, so I am backing fiscally responsible leadership," she said. "I'm not happy with what is going on in Washington."

Several residents felt that New Jersey needs Christie as governor now, rather than having him leave the state.

"We need him in Jersey," Carol Elfo, a librarian at the Hillsborough Public Library, said. "He can go after he fixes us up."

The news that Christie would not run for president yet did not come as a surprise to other residents. Many cited his demeanor and budget strategy as reasons for favoring his decision.

"I can only say I'm not surprised and I'm really happy that he's not running for president," Beryl Domagalski said. "I think he's done a terrific job and he still has a few more years here. He's forceful, and when it came to the taxes in New Jersey, he was very demanding regarding the education and eliminating a lot of things that were happening all these years."

"I really never expected him to run," Jim Conn said. "I thought he was going to hold off. My sense is that he is going to go for it four years from now. I'm extremely surprised and pleased with what he's able to do but I would also like to see four years from now."