Christie Cruises to Second Term

No contest: Chris Christie easily won a second term as governor of New Jersey tonight, reports the AP, which called the race as soon as the polls closed. CNN did, too. Christie defeated little-known Democratic state Sen. Barbara Buono, and his appeal to voters of all stripes (especially in a blue state, notes the Star-Ledger) is sure to keep his name high up among 2016 GOP presidential hopefuls. In fact, in an interview with Politico today, Christie sought to burnish his reputation on the right flank, where he's been vulnerable because of his ties to President Obama. "I've governed conservatively," he insisted.

Buono conceded the race quickly. "Now I know we have our differences, but the truth of the matter is when it comes down to it we're just two parents who want to see best for our children’s future," she said. But she also blamed "Democratic political bosses" in the state who backed Christie and torpedoed her chances. (More Terry McAuliffe stories.)