The 2013 New Jersey State Senate election coincided with Chris Christie's re-election to a second term as Governor of New Jersey. Christie entered the 2013 cycle as a strong favorite for reelection. Christie held strong approval ratings around the 70% range, and many of the state's top Democrats had decided not to pursue a run against him. Christie's opponent, State Senator Barbara Buono, was viewed as a weak candidate who failed to rally the state's Democratic establishment behind her candidacy.