New Jersey governor-elect Chris Christie spoke on Monday about a marriage equality bill pending in the state legislature, but he refused to denounce the bill he opposes in harsh tones.

Christie, a Republican who has vowed to veto the bill, spoke after a meeting with college leaders at Rutgers University, according to Newark's Star-Ledger. 


"This is where the people of New Jersey obviously have differences of opinion," said Christie, according to the Star-Ledger. "There are lots of people who feel very strongly about same-sex marriage and believe it should be the law of the state, and there are lots of folks like me who believe that it shouldn't,” he said.

The marriage equality bill awaits a hearing in the assembly judiciary committee after passing the senate judiciary committee last week by a narrow vote of 7-6. A scheduled vote in the full senate last Thursday was postponed by the Democratic leadership and the bill’s sponsors. Backers are racing to pass the bill before outgoing governor Jon Corzine, who has promised to sign the bill, leaves office on January 19.

On Monday, Christie was asked about the announcement from New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen that the legendary rocker supports marriage equality.

"The fact that Bruce believes that, that's his right," said Christie. "But by the same token, it's my right to believe what I want to believe, too."