TRENTON — Chris Christie easily won a second term as governor of New Jersey tonight, trouncing state Sen. Barbara Buono in a race viewed as precursor to a bid for the White House.

"We said people were tired of politics as usual. We wanted to get things done and we promised we were gonna go to Trenton and turn it upside down and I think we've done just that," Christie told a cheering crowd in Asbury Park.

The Associated Press called the election for Christie at 8 p.m — just as polls closed across the state.

The projection was based on interviews conducted with voters at the polls. But the outcome had never been in much doubt for the Republican governor, a hard-charging federal prosecutor turned political celebrity.

Christie is considered a leading contender for the 2016 GOP presidential sweepstakes, and his victory in a blue state can only bolster his chances.

"I know that if we can do this in Trenton, N.J., then maybe the folks in Washington, D.C. should tune in their TVs right now and see how its done," Christie said.

Three polls released Monday showed Christie leading Buono, a Democrat from Middlesex County, by 20, 28 or 36 points. It was too early to tell how big a win he will get.

Buono, speaking in a Metuchen restaurant, conceded to Christie in a half-hour speech that ended at 9 p.m.

"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," Buono said of Christie

She then went after the Democratic "political bosses" who backed the Republican governor.

"The Democratic political bosses some elected some not made a deal with this governor despite him representing almost everything they’re against," she said. "They didn’t do it for the state. They did it to help themselves politically and financially. But we did it our way and I’m proud of that.”

Christie’s victory also ushers in a second term for Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who is poised to take the governor’s place if he leaves office early to run for the GOP nomination for president.

"I didn't seek a second term to do small things," Christie said. "I sought a second term to finish the job. Now watch me do it."

Christie and his wife, Mary Pat, cast their ballots this morning at the Mendham Township Emergency Services Building, where the governor signed autographs and posed for pictures. Asked if there was anything left to say to undecided voters, Christie said he had already made his case.

"I mean, you know, if after four years of me they don’t know me, then they haven’t been paying attention," he said.

Buono has cast Christie as a failed economic architect and as a bully who will be abandoning New Jersey for a presidential run.

Christie has pointed to his fiscal restraint, education policies and, more than anything, his response to Hurricane Sandy. The governor’s visibility in the storm’s wake sent his popularity surging, making him the most well-liked governor since Tom Kean, polls have shown.

Chris Christie celebrates election win in Asbury Park 14 Gallery: Chris Christie celebrates election win in Asbury Park

Star-Ledger staff writers Ben Horowitz and Mark Mueller contributed to this report.

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