Governor Chris Christie defended his praise for President Barack Obama�s support after superstorm Sandy, but said he would stick with his Republican ticket and vote for Mitt Romney in this Tuesday�s election.

�The fact of the matter is what New Jerseyans expect from their governor is to work for them, not to work for any particular political party,� Christie told Israel�s Channel 2 television in an interview broadcast on Sunday.

�I�m a Republican and I have endorsed Mitt Romney, I support him and I intend to vote for him on Tuesday,� said Christie, interviewed in his home state by a visiting Israeli television reporter.

Christie, a popular governor widely seen as a possible Republican contender in 2016, had frustrated some in the Romney campaign who feared he had given what could be a critical boost to Obama, a Democrat.

He referred to Obama�s pledge of federal aid during a visit to help New Jersey recover from the storm that knocked out power to some 2.4 million of its residents and said:

�If the president of United States comes here and he�s willing to help my people and he does it then I�m gonna say nice things about him because he�s earned it.�

Obama �provided help to my people at one of the worst crises that this state has ever faced,� Christie added. �When somebody does a good job, they deserve credit.�

�Anybody who is upset in the Republican Party about this, they haven�t been to New Jersey. Come see the destruction, come see the loss.�

(AP)