Republican Chris Christie has been re-elected governor of New Jersey. The Associated Press called the race Tuesday as soon as the polls closed, based on interviews with voters as they left polling places.

The interviews were conducted for the AP and television networks ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and Fox News by Edison Research.

Christie easily defeated Democratic state Sen. Barbara Buono and did it with the kind crossover appeal that could help him win the GOP presidential nomination in 2016 — if he decides to go for it. New Jersey is normally a Democratic-leaning state.

The governor's approval ratings are running high because of his blunt, tell-it-like-it-is manner and his leadership after Superstorm Sandy a year ago.