Hamilton, New Jersey - New Jersey's next governor is sending strong signals that education will be a top priority of his new administration.

Chris Christie hasn't visited the state capital since winning election last Tuesday. But he was at a suburban high school on Monday and visited a Newark charter school last week.

Christie told students at Hamilton Township's Steinert High School that he plans to make sure their peers in nearby Trenton and other cities get a quality education.

Afterward, Christie said he's willing to take on the powerful teachers union if necessary.

The Republican carried Hamilton, a sprawling bedroom community populated by many teachers and state workers, by about 750 votes.