The worst kept secret in New Jersey politics is probably Chris Christie’s intention to seek the GOP nomination to run for Governor. It is no longer, actually it probably never us, a matter of if but WHEN.

We have Christie bag man, advance man, Bill Palatucci, being invited to speak at a secret Scott Rumana led GOP county committee meeting to gain support.

And just the other day, State Senator Joe Kyrillos, all but teased everyone in an email that an announcement was on the way.

But just last night, at another Christie celebrity stop in Bergen County, Christie was uncommitted to commit to an answer on if he was a candidate for Governor:

PARAMUS — Former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie made his second Bergen County appearance in as many days tonight, stoking speculation that he is preparing to announce a bid for governor.

Christie, who stepped down as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor on Dec. 1, did not speak publicly, standing only briefly to hold the bible while Councilwoman Cathy Bentz took the oath of office. In an interview before the meeting, Christie said he plans to abide by an earlier pledge to make a decision about his political future by mid-January.

“I know people are looking for a more complicated answer,” he said, “but I just can’t give you one.”

Referring to his appearance Monday at a swearing-in ceremony in Hackensack for Bergen County Clerk Kathleen Donovan, Christie said: “I’m like a bad relative. If you invite me, I’ll show up.”

While the stealth candidate was signing autographs and having his back patted by his adoring fans in the establishment GOP party, a real candidate, who already raised $380,000, allowing him to qualify for 2-1 matching funds, Steve Lonegan, was campaigning and signing up volunteers AND votes for the Primary:

Lonegan was in campaign mode at the Paramus Elks Lodge, telling supporters about his plans for tax and education reform. He announced last month that he is running to unseat Governor Corzine, who is widely expected to seek election to a second term in November.

“We are the most overtaxed state in the country,” he said. “This is a classic battle between conservative principles of low taxes and limited government versus the liberal agenda of high taxes and big government.”

Going back to Christie’s comment in the article; “I know people are looking for a more complicated answer,” actually, he’s wrong, he is making it complicated, the answer is either yes, no, or not yet, period.