Republican New Jersey Governor Chris Christie wins re-election

Washington – New Jersey Governor Chris Christie won re-election by a crushing margin on Tuesday, a victory seen boosting his widely expected presidential bid in 2016.

As polls closed, Christie, the hard-charging Republican governor who took office in 2010, defeated his lesser-known Democratic opponent, state Senator Barbara Buono.

According to ABC News, Christie’s victory was never in doubt. Throughout the campaign, polls showed Christie with a double-digit lead over Buono.

In his new term, Christie is looking to show that he can bridge gaps with Hispanics, women and independents — groups that have stymied other Republican candidates’ hopes for national office, including the party’s 2012 presidential nominee, Mitt Romney.

Tuesday night’s exit poll results included some encouraging numbers for him: Christie surpassed his Democratic opponent in support among men, women, political independents and remained competitive among Hispanics, the report said.

But preliminary exit poll results put Christie slightly behind Hillary Clinton in a hypothetical matchup for 2016.

Meanwhile, New Yorkers chose a new mayor for the first time in a dozen years: Bill de Blasio.