NEWARK, N.J. — As he casts his eye toward a potential presidential bid, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie must also take on some work at home. First up: a statewide address expected to touch on nagging economic issues that could complicate his political plans.

Observers expect Christie to use his fifth State of the State address on Tuesday to define his tenure as governor on his own terms, while not missing the chance to articulate his rationale for a potential run for president.

“I think what we’ll see is him putting as positive a spin on everything he can find that’s positive and speaking very broadly with an eye to a national audience,” said David Redlawsk, the director of New Jersey’s Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers University.

Christie has promised new action to cut the cost of state workers’ pension and benefit payments, which he says is needed despite what was hailed as a landmark reform package during his first term.