after gormley chose not to seek re-election to the senate in 2007, the "press of atlantic city" wrote: "in this age of scripted politicians, gormley stood out as a gutsy original: combative, complex and an undeniable master of the game of politics. he did not simply pursue success, he stalked it." the newspaper noted that gormley left office "without an ethical stain after 30 years in new jersey politics." said gov. chris christie, then u.s. attorney of new jersey, "is he a tough politician? absolutely. but in my experience, he's always operated with integrity."