New Jersey governor Jon Corzine said that he expected to sign marriage equality legislation “this year” when asked about the issue during an appearance before a Teamsters local in Atlantic City on Monday.

Corzine gave the reply during a question-and-answer session that followed his speech to a union conference at Bally’s Atlantic City, reports the Press of Atlantic City.

"I look forward to signing marriage equality legislation," Corzine said, according to the newspaper. "I think that will be this year."

Corzine faces a tight November reelection battle against his opponent, Republican Christopher J. Christie. It is widely believed that the legislature will consider the marriage equality bill in the “lame duck” session after the election and before the January swearing-in ceremony.