Chris Christie

About

Christopher “Chris” Christie is an American politician who is currently serving as the 55th Governor of New Jersey and a leading member of the Republican Party. On the Internet, as well as in the news, Christie has garnered a favorable reputation for his down-to-earth and approachable public image.

History

Prior to entering politics, Chris Christie worked as an attorney in the private sector and served as a county legislator in Morris County, New Jersey from 1995 to 1998. Having campaigned for George W. Bush during the presidential election, Christie was subsequently appointed as United States Attorney for the state of New Jersey in 2002 and continued to hold the position until 2008. Christie rose to national prominence with the announcement of his candidacy for Governor of New Jersey in January 2009. After winning the Republican nomination with 55% of the vote in the primary election, Christie defeated the incumbent Democrat Jon Corzine by a margin of 3.6% with approximately 48.5% of the total vote, the largest margin for a first term Republican since 1969. Christie was sworn into office on January 19th, 2010.

Highlights

2010 Press Conference

In May 2010, Governor Christie held a press conference to discuss his rejection of the Democrats’ proposal for a tax hike on income over $1 million. During the Q&A portion of the event, The Star-Ledger’s political columnist Tom Moran asked the governor about his combative approach in fiscal reforms and budget cuts:

Moran: “Do you think this sort of confrontational tone can increase your odds in getting this through the legislature?”

Gov. Christie: You must be the thinnest skinned guy in America, ‘cause you think that’s a confrontational tone, you should really see me when I’m {ticked}.

People: (laughing)

Gov. Christie: I love when people say they don’t want to have argument. That’s what we were sent here for. Here it is (holding up paper): Bigger government, higher taxes, more spending. I believe in less government, lower taxes, and in empowering local officials who are elected by their citizens to be able to fix their problems. Now, I could say it really nicely. I could say it in the way that you all might be more comfortable with. Maybe we could go back to the last administration where I could say it in a way you wouldn’t even understand it, okay?

PEOPLE: (laughing)

Gov. Christie: This is who I am. Like it or not, you guys are stuck with me for four years and I’m going to say things directly. When you ask me questions, I’m going to answer them directly, straightly, bluntly, and nobody in New Jersey is going to have to wonder where I am on an issue -- and I think they’ve had enough of politicians who make them wonder. I came here to govern, not to worry about reelection. I came here to do what people sent me here to do, and so “blunt,” “direct”? Maybe you might say “honest and refreshing.” Maybe we could see that in your paper tomorrow.

Teachers’ Town Hall Meeting

In September 2010, Governor Christie attended a town hall meeting with public school teachers in Raritan, New Jersey. During the meeting, an angry teacher pressed on Christie for not doing enough for the state’s education system, which led to a briefly testy exchange between the two. The clip was subsequently uploaded via Christie’s official YouTube channel, where it has gained more than 1.28 million views.

“I stood here and very respectfully listened to you; if what you want to do is put on a show and giggle every time I talk, well then I have no interest in answering your question,” he says, as the audience erupts in applause. “If you’d like to conduct a respectful conversation, I’m happy to do it. If you don’t, please go and sit down, and I’ll answer the next question.”

Don’t Worry, We’ve Got This

In May 2012, a three-minute short film featuring Christie and Cory Booker, the Democratic mayor of Newark, was screened at a dinner event with New Jersey’s Press Association Legislative Correspondents Club. The skit, which pokes fun at the politicians’ respective public images and explores their subtle rivalry, was met with positive responses from the U.S. news media and political blogosphere.

Get The Hell Off The Beach

In August 2011, Governor Christie held a press conference regarding Hurricane Irene and the state of emergency, during which he warned people against lingering on the New Jersey coast and asked people to “get the hell off the beach.”

So to folks again--you know, I saw some of these news feeds that I’ve been watching upstairs of people sitting on the beach in Asbury Park. Get the hell off the beach in Asbury Park and get out. You’re done. It’s 4:30. You’ve maximized your tan. Get off the beach. Get in your cars and get out of those areas. You know, it amazes me that you have responsible elected officials from North Carolina north through Massachusetts along with National Weather Service folks telling you that this is going to be an enormous storm and for New Jersey something that we haven’t seen in over 60 years. Do not waste any more time working on your tan.

E-Mail Scandal

On January 8th, 2014, New Jersey’s newspaper The Record published a report linking Governor Christie’s office to the unannounced closure of several lanes at the George Washington Bridge from September 9 through September 13 in 2013, which caused massive traffic congestion and major delays of civil services within Fort Lee, New Jersey. The article, which asserted that the Christie’s office intentionally sought to shut down local access to the bridge as a political retribution against the Fort Lee mayor Mark Sokolich for declining to endorse the governor’s re-election campaign, was further supported by transcripts of leaked e-mails and text messages among Christie’s aids discussing the shutdown.