Christie Works the Vote at Rustic Mill

Sign-bearing supporters lined North Avenue and packed the Rustic Mill Diner to greet Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie on October 31. Cranford was just one of Christie’s 81 stops in all 21 counties in New Jersey between October 28 and Election Day, November 3.

The 47-year-old Christie arrived in a black tour bus embossed with the words, “Vote for Change,” and was accompanied by his wife Mary Pat, his daughter Sarah, and about a half dozen staffers. Christie moved through the crowd in the Rustic Mill’s parking lot, shaking hands, signing autographs, and thanking supporters. He then entered the diner to thunderous applause and gave a brief speech.

“It’s great to be back here,” said Christie, a former member of Dughi, Hewit & Palatucci law firm in Cranford.

“My old law firm is still here on North Avenue, right by the Dairy Queen. That would explain some things,” he said as the crowd erupted in laughter at the reference to the candidate's hefty physique.

Christie thanked his supporters on hand, including mayor David Robinson and former mayor Phil Morin, now chair of the Union County Republican Committee.

Christie’s message was one of change.

“Victory is right within our grasp,” he said. “We can feel it. People are excited and angry. They want change for the state and they want it now.

“What kind of a New Jersey do we want?” he asked.  “A New Jersey where our kids can grow up… a place that’s exciting and dynamic and filled with opportunity? Or [a New Jersey where we] continue on this course of higher taxes and more spending and bigger government that’s going to just lead us to a situation where no one is going to be able to live here anymore except for folks like Jon Corzine?”

Every mention of his opponent, incumbent Jon Corzine, drew boos and hisses.

 “For the next three days,” Christie exhorted the crowd, “remind everybody that [Election Day] is Accountability Day.”

Christie then related an anecdote about Corzine’s inauguration, when the governor urged the people of New Jersey to hold him accountable.

“Tuesday is Accountability Day,” said Christie, “and it is time to throw him out."

“It’s a thrill to see him,” said Elaine Romano of Tuxedo Place. “He just exudes integrity. We’re very hopeful.”

“I think this is a great thing for Cranford, a great thing for Union County,” said Morin. “We’re going to see some major changes early on in the administration that will be focused on providing new jobs and economic stimulus to towns like this.”

Mayor Robinson predicted that “Cranford will turn out big for Chris and the rest of the Republican ticket to bring fiscal discipline to New Jersey, maintain fiscal discipline here in Cranford, and continue to make things better in New Jersey.”