New Jersey governor Chris Christie remained mum about his future plans during his first debate with Democratic opponent and state senator Barbara Buono tonight.

“I’m not going to declare tonight … that I am or am not running for president,” Christie said flatly. “The people out there [in] New Jersey don’t expect me to.”

Talking about how 2016 remained years away, Christie remarked, “I won’t make those decisions until I have to.” And addressing concerns that he couldn’t govern and campaign for president at the same time, he said, “I can walk and chew gum at the same time.”