Bi-Partisanship Out Window After Sandy In NJ [AUDIO]

After Superstorm Sandy, it was a love-fest between Democrats and Republicans in New Jersey. Not anymore. With a gubernatorial race in 2013, bipartisanship is out the window.

It was only a matter of time before the curtain was pulled on bipartisanship, said Fairleigh Dickinson University political sceience professor Peter Woolley.

"Now legislators go right back into being a Democrat or Republican. This race for the Governor began the day after the Presidential election and so now the fight is on," said Woolley.

"We watched Governor Christie hug and speak favorably of President Obama, which sat well with Democrats in New Jersey and we watched as Democrats gave good marks to Christie for his handling of the storm. That is all in the past now as we gear up for this race."

From hiking the minimum wage to job creation bills, he said Democrats are on the offensive now, putting bills in front of Governor Christie that put him in a tight spot.

"That's the playbook whether you're a Republican running against a Democrat or vice versa."

So far, at least one Democrat, Senator Barbara Buono has announced that she is running for Governor next year.

Woolley says while it will be a tough challenge for Democrats to overcome Christie's popularity at the moment, the challenge isn't surmountable.

"There is a long way to go between now and Election Day and other people will throw their hats into the ring, a lot can change in this amount of time...a lot can go wrong and does go wrong."