Jefferson Residents: We're Happy to Keep Christie

A lot of Republicans were hoping Gov. Chris Christie would run for president. Jefferson Township Mayor Russell Felter wasn't one of them.

"I’m happy and I know a lot of other people around here feel the same way,” said Felter. “He would have done well, without a doubt, but he’s moving the state in the right direction and I’m glad he’s going to be our governor for the rest of this term, and I hope he has another four."

Felter said he first got to know Christie when he ran for Morris County Freeholder in the early 1990s.

“I have a lot of respect for him and I believe this is the right decision.”

Pamela Garv, secretary to the Mayor of Jefferson Township, agreed.

“I’m glad he’s not running. I feel like he is just getting into his role as governor and he should wait for the next term,” Garv said. “He’s doing a fantastic job and I want him to finish.”

For Deborah Dominicci, Owner of Curves Fitness in Lake Hopatcong, Christie’s decision not to run comes as a relief, but for a different reason.

“I’m glad he’s not running for president, it’s a relief actually. We don’t need any more controversy than we have right now,” Dominicci said.

Electrical contractor Nick Vespa, a resident of Peapack who works in the Jefferson area said, “We need him to finish what he started. I think it’s unfortunate that the teachers unions are not cooperating with him.”

Helen Kochan, a sales associate at the Institute of Spiritual Development in Sparta said that while she doesn't align with any particular political party and makes a practice of voting for the best person for the job, she is pleased that Christie will remain planted here in the Garden State.

“I think he would have done very well if he were elected, but even though he has definitely made some people pretty angry, I think he’s done a great job for the state.”