NEW YORK, NY November 04, 2009 —Republican Chris Christie picked a nationally recognized charter school in Newark as the setting for his first news conference as Governor elect. WNYC's Bob Hennelly was there.

REPORTER: Hundreds of elementary students at Newark's Robert Treat Academy Charter School cheered the Governor-Elect who told them he came because he wanted all the reporters that follow him to see their school. Throughout the campaign Christie hailed the public K-8 charter, which consistently earns top rankings in the state, as a cost effective model for poor districts. Per student Robert Treat costs roughly two-thirds of what the state is currently spending to educate Newark students. Also present at today's event was Democratic Mayor Cory Booker, who endorsed Governor Corzine, but pledged to continue a collaboration with Christie. Booker says it began when he was first elected mayor and asked Christie as US attorney to help him fight crime in Newark. For WNYC I am Bob Hennelly.