Gov. Christie delivers keynote speech at League of Municipalities

Gov. Chris Christie says he has every intention of serving out his full term as governor and doesn't have any reason to believe he won't. The governor delivered the keynote address Thursday at the

News 12 Staff

Nov 18, 2016, 5:15 AM

Updated 2,860 days ago

Share:

Gov. Chris Christie says he has every intention of serving out his full term as governor and doesn't have any reason to believe he won't.
The governor delivered the keynote address Thursday at the League of Municipalities conference in Atlantic City.
It's his first public appearance in the state since he was demoted from chairman to vice chairman of President-elect Donald Trump's transition team. Most of his early transition work was scrapped.
There has been much speculation about what, if any, position Gov. Christie may hold in the Trump administration. Many who attended the meeting said that the governor's speech felt more like a goodbye speech, as he reflected on his tenure as governor.
"I have every intention of serving out my full term as governor," Christie said. "I've said that from the beginning. And I have no reason to believe as we stand here today that I will do anything other."
Gov. Christie made no mention of his state takeover of Atlantic City or Mayor Don Guardian, who sat a few seats down.
The governor also urged his listeners to accept the results and stop questioning the legitimacy of Donald Trump's election. He asked for respectful discourse to the president-elect, although he himself has called President Obama a "feckless weakling" and an "abomination" in the past.
"I have always treated that president with the respect the presidency deserves," Christie said.
Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno had been scheduled to give the keynote address, but Christie decided at the last minute to bump her from the event.
"You'll get to hear what I have to say but today's about the governor," Guadagno said, "It's his prerogative."
Guadagno had come out against a measure Christie supported regarding the state's gas tax. Christie said it was time for real leaders to stop playing politics and make hard decisions.
The governor went straight out to his car after the speech and declined to take any questions.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.