Chris Christie 2016: Hurricane Sandy Could Have Helped His Presidency Chances

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a rising Republican star and a potential 2016 presidential candidate, announced on Monday he'd seek reelection in The Garden State in 2013 — reported the AP. 

Christie, the 2012 RNC Keynote Speaker and a Mitt Romney surrogate during the former Massachusetts governor's failed presidential bid, said he intends to run for reelection so he has the chance to lead New Jersey through the recovery effort after Hurricane Sandy, which the governor estimates will extend past his first term. 

The outspoken politico, who ruffled Republicans feathers by praising President Obama's response to Hurricane Sandy on the days leading to the election, has seen his popularity surge because of his own response to the devastating super storm. He recently appeared on NBC's Saturday Night Live where — in another bipartisan nod — he quoted Obama's surrogate Bruce Springsteen, further fueling rumors about a potential 2016 presidential run.

"The public needs to know that I'm in this for the long haul, that the person who has helped to lead them through the initial crisis wants to help lead them through the rebuilding and restoration of our state," Christie said of his 2013 plans. "It would be wrong for me to leave now," he added. "I don't want to leave now. We have a job to do. That job won't be finished by next year,” the governor concluded. 

The gubernatorial election is a year from now. And Christie filed papers with election officials Monday confirming his intention to seek a second term. The step allows Christie to set up a campaign headquarters, hire staff and raise money toward his re-election (though a formal announcement is expected in January).

Christie carried the Democratic-leaning state of New Jersey by 86,000 votes in 2009, after upsetting Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine.