Election 2009: Republicans Win Governor's Races in New Jersey and Virginia

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Republican Gov-elect Bob McDonnell, right, waves to the crowd as he celebrates his election with...

Republican Gov-elect Bob McDonnell, right, waves to the crowd as he celebrates his election with National Republican Party chairman Michael Steele during his victory party in Richmond, Va., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. Unofficial results showed McDonnell, a conservative and former state attorney general, with about 60 percent of the vote over Democrat R. Creigh Deeds. He will be the state's first Republican governor in eight years.

(Steve Helber/AP Photo)

New Jersey Governor's Race

Gov. Corzine faced the kind of tight reelection race that -- unless the economy turns around fast -- incumbents of both parties may grow to expect in 2010.

Christie, the Republican candidate tapped into distaste for New Jersey Democratic machine politics and Corzine himself, in a race complicated by the presence of self-funded independent candidate Chris Daggett.

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Christie surged in polls in the race's closing days, despite the heavy Democratic advantage in the Garden State.

And he swamped Corzine among independent voters, with 58 percent to Corzine's 31 percent, according to exit polls.

That more than canceled out any advantage Obama himself could confer on Corzine, his former Senate colleague who was elected governor in 2005.

The White House has put more on the line politically in New Jersey than in any other of the 2009 races, sensing an opportunity to register a blue dot in a red year.

"Here's the tough part," the president said at a Corzine rally Sunday. "Here's the time when it's not as sexy, it's not as flashy. You know, this is when governing comes in, and we've got to make tough choices. And progress isn't always as quick as we want it."