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Gov. Chris Christie, shown here preparing for a "Today" show taping last month, discussed his views on gay marriage tonight during his monthly radio show.

(Andrew Mills/The Star-Ledger)

TRENTON — Hours after the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark ruling today striking down the federal Defense of Marriage Act, Gov. Chris Christie maintained his opposition to same-sex marriage and lambasted the high court.

“It’s just another example of judicial supremacy rather than having the government run by the people we actually vote for,” he said of the high court’s 5-4 vote during his monthly radio show on NJ 101.5 FM. “I thought it was a bad decision.”

In his February 2012 veto of the gay marriage bill, Christie said there is no fundamental constitutional right to same-sex marriage, but that gay couples in New Jersey have all the rights and benefits of married couples through civil unions. Same-sex marriage advocates disagree, saying the system creates “second-class citizens.”

Ben Dworkin, a Rider University political scientist, said it’s up to Christie challenger, state Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex) to capitalize on Christie’s break with much of the state’s electorate.

"It's an opportunity for Buono and the Democrats in the campaign," Dworkin said. "Whether or not they will be able to effectively take advantage of it remains to be seen."

Democrats are working to secure enough votes to override his veto. They need 12 more votes in the Assembly and three more in the Senate.

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