TRENTON — The controversial "Stronger Than the Storm" commercials featuring Gov. Chris Christie are apparently set to stop airing.

Christie said today that the television ads — which trumpets New Jersey's recovery a year after Hurricane Sandy hit, complete with a catchy jingle — will end Sunday, just before Labor Day.

"That ringing in your head from hearing it over and over and over again, I guarantee you come December, you're going to miss them," Christie said during a news conference in Sea Bright.

Democrats blasted Christie, a Republican, for appearing in the ads — part of a $25 million state tourism campaign funded with federal disaster money — during his re-election bid, saying it unfairly gives him more media exposure.

The Asbury Park Press also published a story saying the governor's administration awarded the contract to make the commercial to MWW, a politically connected East Rutherford public relations firm — charging $2 million more than what the runner-up planned to charge.

State Sen. Barbara Buono — Christie's Democratic opponent in this year's governor's race — said it is "nothing short of outrageous that this governor would put his ego and national ambitions above helping people."

But Christie said today the reason for the campaign was "simple."

"There are still lots of people around this country and in Canada who didn't believe we'd be ready for the summer," he said. "And while not everything is perfect by a long shot, we didn't want to let businesses in this state go down the tubes because nobody knew we were here and ready to welcome them."

Gov Chris Christie tours Hurricane Sandy recovery in Sea Bright 11 Gallery: Gov Chris Christie tours Hurricane Sandy recovery in Sea Bright

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