Chris Christie is reportedly preparing to run for president in 2024 – but the voters who know him best are not excited by the prospect.
According to a Monmouth University poll, just 10% of New Jersey residents would support a 2024 presidential bid by the former NJ governor, whose tenure was plagued by scandal. In 2013, he ordered the closure of several lanes connecting the city of Fort Lee to the George Washington Bridge as retribution for perceived disloyalty from Fort Lee’s mayor. In 2017, Christie and his family were photographed at a state beach even though he had ordered it closed due to a government shutdown.
Perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that the poll found that Christie is the least popular ex-governor in New Jersey, with a 64% unfavorable rating.
“The sense that Christie turned his back on New Jersey in pursuit of higher office was the main reason for a sharp drop in his ratings by the time he left office. Incidents like Bridgegate or Beachgate serve as vivid memes for this lingering sentiment,” said Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute.
Christie dropped out of the 2016 race after finishing sixth in the New Hampshire primary. He became a close associate – and occasional critic – of Donald Trump.
Last month, Axios reported that three of his friends believe he will run for president in 2024:
“Christie could run on a reputation for toughness that appeals to Trump’s base minus the former president’s recklessness, said one source. Another said he has a mix of combativeness and charisma that Republicans are looking for to take on President Biden and Democrats.”
Christie told radio host Hugh Hewitt that he’s not ruling out a run. Axios reports that his decision is not dependent on Trump’s 2024 plans.