Gov. Christie files re-election petition

TRENTON, N.J., March 28 (UPI) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie filed the formal paperwork to run for re-election in the June 4 primary, election records show.

The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger said Thursday Christie and his main Democratic challenger, state Sen. Barbara Buono, both turned in the petitions required to be on the ballot ahead of Monday's pending deadline.

The petitions must still be confirmed by the state Division of Elections, but the newspaper said Christie and Buono both have far more than the 1,000 signatures needed to make the ballot.

Christie has been touted in the U.S. media as a potential Republican candidate for president in 2016. The Star-Ledger said Christie's popularity has thus far resulted in raising about $5 million in campaign contributions, according to state records. Buono's war chest stood at about $1 million.