Metro

NJ Chris-tening

TRENTON, NJ — Republican Chris Christie was sworn in Tuesday as New Jersey’s 55th governor, vowing to deliver the far-reaching change he said voters elected him to bring about.

“You voted loudly and clearly for change, and you have entrusted us with what may be our last, best hope for a stronger New Jersey — the New Jersey of our youth, full of hope and opportunity,” Christie said in his inaugural address. “New Jersey, you voted for change, and today change has arrived.”

Christie takes over a state plagued by the nation’s highest taxes, a deficit that could hit $10 billion by July, and unemployment near 10 percent.

His swearing-in marked a reminder of President Obama’s vulnerability on the same day another Northeastern election — for a Senate seat in Massachusetts — could derail parts of his agenda.

Obama and Vice President Joe Biden had campaigned for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine in the fall, but it wasn’t enough to keep him in office for a second term.

Christie, a 47-year-old former federal prosecutor, ran on a platform of smaller government and took shots at Corzine, a former Wall Street executive, for what he called poor economic stewardship. But Christie was criticized during the campaign for remaining vague about how he would solve New Jersey’s chronic fiscal problems.

He seized on the dual themes of voter discontent and change in his 33-minute inaugural address.

“Rarely in New Jersey’s history have we faced the challenges we face today,” Christie said. “There is fear and uncertainty. But fear and uncertainty are not necessary and do not have to be permanent. We have the tools for a brighter future, if we change direction.”

Corzine was on hand to witness his successor take the oath of office. Former Govs. Brendan Byrne, Tom Kean Sr., Christie Whitman, Jim Florio, Don DiFrancesco and Dick Codey also were in the front row.

Christie takes charge of a government dominated by Democrats waiting to see exactly how he will balance the budget without breaking his campaign pledge to not raise taxes and to roll back others. New Jersey homeowners pay the nation’s highest taxes, an average of $7,045 a year.

Christie returned to the campaign themes of restoring economic prosperity and improving urban education, drawing praise from Republicans and Democrats alike.

“We are in lockstep with the governor” on education, said Newark Mayor Cory Booker. “We are going to support our public schools. We’re going to create high levels of accountability.”

Christie will sign his first executive orders today that increase the state’s fiscal transparency.

At a Mass yesterday morning at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, Archbishop John Myers said Christie will need the wisdom of Solomon.