Chris Christie

{{Short description|Governor of New Jersey from 2010 to 2018}} {{pp-vandalism|small=yes}} {{Use American English|date=December 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Chris Christie | image = Chris Christie in Baltimore2022(crop).jpg | caption = Christie in 2022 | order = 55th Governor of New Jersey | lieutenant = Kim Guadagno | term_start = January 19, 2010 | term_end = January 16, 2018 | predecessor = Jon Corzine | successor = Phil Murphy | office1 = Chair of the Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission | president1 = Donald Trump | term_start1 = March 29, 2017 | term_end1 = November 1, 2017 | predecessor1 = Position established | successor1 = Position abolished | office2 = Chair of the Republican Governors Association | term_start2 = November 21, 2013 | term_end2 = November 20, 2014 | predecessor2 = Bobby Jindal | successor2 = Bill Haslam | office3 = United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey | president3 = George W. Bush | term_start3 = January 17, 2002 | term_end3 = December 1, 2008 | predecessor3 = Robert J. Cleary | successor3 = Ralph Marra | office5 = Member of the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders | term_start5 = January 1, 1995 | term_end5 = December 31, 1997 | predecessor5 = Edward Tamm | successor5 = John J. Murphy | birth_name = Christopher James Christie | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|9|6}} | birth_place = Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Republican | spouse = {{marriage|Mary Pat Foster|1986}} | children = 4 | education = University of Delaware (BA)<br>Seton Hall University (JD) | signature = Chris Christie Signature.svg | website = {{url|chrischristie.com|Campaign website}} }} '''Christopher James Christie''' (born September 6, 1962) is an American politician and lawyer who served as the 55th governor of New Jersey from 2010 to 2018. A member of the Republican Party, he was the United States attorney for the District of New Jersey from 2002 to 2008 and a Morris County commissioner from 1995 to 1997. He was a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 and 2024.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Christie graduated from the University of Delaware in 1984 and later earned a J.D. at Seton Hall University School of Law. He began his political career as a volunteer for Republican Thomas Kean's 1981 gubernatorial campaign. In 1994, Christie was elected as a county freeholder (legislator) for Morris County, New Jersey. His campaign that year was met with criticism as he had made several false statements about his opponent's legal issues. This criticism led to Christie losing his 1996 Republican primary reelection campaign. He later worked for the 2000 presidential campaign of George W. Bush; after Bush became president, he appointed Christie U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, a position he held from January 2002 to December 2008. During his tenure, he oversaw the convictions of 130 public officials from both local and state levels.

Christie won the 2009 Republican primary for Governor of New Jersey and defeated Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine in the general election. In his first term, he was credited with cutting spending, capping property tax growth, and engaging in recovery efforts after Hurricane Sandy. He was re-elected by a wide margin in 2013, defeating State Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mindock|first1=Clark|title=Chris Christie Sandy Recovery: As Presidential Campaign Falters, New Jersey Governor Slammed For Hurricane Response|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/chris-christie-sandy-recovery-presidential-campaign-falters-new-jersey-governor-2037230 |work=International Business Times |date=August 8, 2015 |access-date=January 26, 2017}}</ref> Christie's second term saw multiple controversies, namely the Fort Lee lane closure and his various absences from the state.<ref name="Haddon">{{Cite web |date=January 4, 2016 |title=Chris Christie's Absences From New Jersey Are Being Noticed |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/chris-christies-absences-from-new-jersey-are-being-noticed-1451873084 |website=Wall Street Journal |first=Heather|last=Haddon|access-date=January 5, 2023}}</ref><ref name="fall">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2016-37423537 |title=The fall and fall of Chris Christie|publisher=BBC News|date=September 22, 2016 |access-date=September 22, 2016}}</ref> He chaired the Republican Governors Association during the 2014 campaign. His term as governor expired in 2018, and he registered as a lobbyist in 2020.<ref name="meyercancryn" />

On June 30, 2015, Christie announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the 2016 presidential election. However, he suspended his candidacy six months later following a poor showing in the New Hampshire primary. Later, he endorsed eventual winner Donald Trump and was named head of Trump's transition planning team.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/26/politics/chris-christie-endorses-donald-trump/|title=Chris Christie endorses Donald Trump |first1=Jeremy |last1=Diamond |author1-link=Jeremy Diamond (journalist) |first2=Jake |last2=Tapper |author2-link=Jake Tapper |first3=Phil |last3=Mattingly |first4=Stephen |last4=Collinson |date=February 26, 2016|work=CNN|access-date=February 27, 2016}}</ref> He remained a close ally of Trump during his first presidency. However, he later emerged as a critic following Trump's refusal to accept his loss in the 2020 United States presidential election and the subsequent January 6 Capitol attack.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Samuels |first1=Brett |title=Christie seeks to win by getting under Trump's skin |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4149371-christie-seeks-to-win-by-getting-under-trumps-skin/ |access-date=August 12, 2023 |work=The Hill |publisher=Nexstar Media Inc. |date=August 12, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hillyard |first1=Vaughn |last2=Concepcion |first2=Summer |title=Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to announce his 2024 presidential campaign on Tuesday |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/former-new-jersey-gov-chris-christie-set-announce-2024-presidential-ca-rcna87004 |access-date=May 31, 2023 |work=NBC News |date=May 31, 2023}}</ref><ref name=":2024"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kraushaar |first1=Josh |title=Scoop: Christie pledges never to support Trump again |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/03/28/chris-christie-trump-support-2024 |access-date=May 31, 2023 |work=Axios|date=March 28, 2023}}</ref> On June 6, 2023, Christie announced his second presidential campaign for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election.<ref name=":2024">{{Cite web |title=Scoop: Chris Christie to announce GOP presidential campaign next week |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/05/31/chris-christie-presidential-campaign-2024-gop|author=Mike Allen|accessdate=May 31, 2023|work=Axios |date=May 31, 2023 }}</ref> His campaign was notable in its criticism of Trump compared to other Republican candidates.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Woodall |first=Candy |title=Christie calls Trump a crybaby and loser for threatening to skip debates: 'Get in the ring pal' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/06/22/christie-says-trump-loser-debates/70346754007/ |access-date=June 11, 2024 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref> He ultimately dropped out of the Republican primary before voting started.<ref name=ap-2024-dropout>{{citation|title=Chris Christie drops out of 2024 presidential race|language=en|work=Associated Press|first1=Steve|last1=Peoples|first2=Jill|last2=Colvin|date=January 10, 2024|access-date=January 10, 2024|url=https://apnews.com/article/christie-presidential-race-5e974cfa407d39af878f066a71af35ad|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110214637/https://apnews.com/article/christie-presidential-race-5e974cfa407d39af878f066a71af35ad|archive-date=January 10, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Early life== Christie was born on September 6, 1962,<ref>{{cite web |title=Gov. Christopher Christie |url=https://www.nga.org/governor/christopher-christie/ |website=National Governors Association |date=January 19, 2010 |access-date=July 24, 2023}}</ref> in Newark, New Jersey, to Sondra A. ({{Nee|Grasso}}), a telephone receptionist, and Wilbur James "Bill" Christie, a certified public accountant who graduated from Rutgers Business School.<ref>[http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/c/christopher_j_christie/index.html "Times Topics: Christopher J. Christie"], ''The New York Times'', February 12, 2008.</ref><ref name="Ledger">{{cite news|first=John P.|last=Martin|title=Christie: A need to lead, honed by family and success|work=The Star-Ledger|date=May 23, 2009 |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/05/christie_a_need_to_lead_honed.html |access-date=May 24, 2009}}</ref><ref>[http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary-preview.aspx?n=sondra-a-christie&pid=2197746 "Sondra A. Christie Obituary"], ''The Star Ledger'', May 3, 2004.</ref> His mother was of Italian (Sicilian) ancestry, and his father is of German, Scottish, and Irish descent.<ref name="google">{{cite book|title=Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power|author1=Ingle, B.|author2=Symons, M.G.|date=2012|publisher=St. Martin's Press|isbn=978-1-250-00836-7|url=https://archive.org/details/chrischristieins0000ingl|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/chrischristieins0000ingl/page/10 10]|access-date=February 7, 2015}}</ref><ref name="YTStyle">Christie, Chris (May 19, 2010), {{YouTube|ICIa-KJeUtM|"Governor Christie: Style"}}</ref><ref name="YTToday">{{YouTube|90wz8a1uKj4|"Governor Christie Today Show Profile"}}, October 20, 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politicalfamilytree.com/samples%20content/members/candidates_2009-10/Christie-NJ-1.pdf|title=Partial Genealogy of the Christies|access-date=July 27, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/celeb/christie.htm|title=Chris Christie ancestry|website=Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com|access-date=July 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208055038/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/celeb/christie.htm|archive-date=February 8, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Christie's family moved to Livingston, New Jersey, after the 1967 Newark riots,<ref name="Lizza" /> and Christie lived there until he graduated from Livingston High School in 1980.<ref>[http://www.trentonian.com/articles/2010/12/08/news/doc4cff8ff6e3563721412087.txt "Gov. Chris Christie heads home to Livingston to talk taxes"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304160641/http://www.trentonian.com/articles/2010/12/08/news/doc4cff8ff6e3563721412087.txt |date=March 4, 2012 }}. ''The Trentonian''. Associated Press. December 8, 2010. Retrieved February 24, 2011. "Gov. Chris Christie hosts his 16th town hall in his hometown of Livingston Wednesday to talk about proposals to help New Jersey towns control property taxes".</ref> At Livingston, Christie served as class president, played catcher for the baseball team,<ref name="Lizza" /> and was selected as a New Jersey Representative to the United States Senate Youth Program.

Christie's father and mother were Republican and Democratic, respectively. He has credited his Democratic-leaning mother for indirectly making him a Republican by encouraging him to volunteer for the gubernatorial candidate who became his role model, Tom Kean.<ref name="Ledger" /> Christie had become interested in Kean after the politician, then a state legislator, spoke to Christie's junior high school class.<ref name="Lizza">{{cite news|last=Lizza|first=Ryan|title=CROSSING CHRISTIE|url=https://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2014/04/14/140414fa_fact_lizza?currentPage=all |newspaper=The New Yorker |date=April 14, 2014 |access-date=April 20, 2014}}</ref>

Christie graduated from the University of Delaware in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science; while there, he served as president of the student body.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2015/12/27/460600609/where-chris-christie-found-his-political-calling|title=Where Chris Christie Found His Political Calling|publisher=NPR}}</ref> He graduated from Seton Hall University School of Law with a J.D. in 1987. He was admitted to the New Jersey State Bar Association and the Bar of the United States District Court, District of New Jersey, in December 1987. He was awarded honorary doctorate degrees by Rutgers University and Monmouth University in 2010.<ref>[http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/05/rutgers_graduates_largest_clas.html "Rutgers University graduates largest class, gives N.J. Gov. Chris Christie traditional honorary degree"]. ''The Star-Ledger''; May 16, 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/05/monmouth_university_seniors_pr.html "Monmouth University graduates, alumni protest Gov. Chris Christie as graduation speaker"]. ''The Star-Ledger''. Retrieved February 25, 2014.</ref>

== Law practice and local politics ==

=== Lawyer === In 1987, Christie joined the law firm of Dughi, Hewit & Palatucci of Cranford, New Jersey.<ref name="facts">{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/02/17/us/chris-christie-fast-facts |title=Here's a look at the life of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie |work=CNN |date=August 18, 2022 |access-date=September 27, 2022}}</ref> In 1993, he was named a partner in the firm.<ref name="facts" /> Christie specialized in securities law, appellate practice, election law, and government affairs. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the New Jersey State Bar Association and was a member of the Election Law Committee of the New Jersey State Bar Association. From 1999 to 2001, Christie was registered statehouse lobbyist for Dughi and Hewit.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rispoli |first=Michael |title=Gov. Corzine, Chris Christie trade barbs about lobbying histories |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=August 25, 2009 |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/08/gov_corzine_chris_christie_tra.html |access-date=June 28, 2014}}</ref>

=== Morris County freeholder === Christie volunteered for the 1992 re-election campaign of President George H. W. Bush in New Jersey and became close to Bush's state director, Bill Palatucci. Following the campaign, Christie decided to run for office and moved to Mendham Township, New Jersey. In 1993, Christie launched a primary challenge against the New Jersey Senate Majority Leader, John H. Dorsey. However, Christie's campaign ended after Dorsey successfully challenged the validity of Christie's petition to appear on the ballot.<ref name="Lizza" />

In 1994, Christie was elected as a Republican to the Board of Chosen Freeholders, or legislators, for Morris County, New Jersey, after he and a running mate defeated incumbents in the party primary. Following the election, the defeated incumbents filed a defamation lawsuit against Christie based on statements made during the primary campaign.<ref name="nuzzi-politico">{{cite news |last=Nuzzi|first=Olivia|title=Portrait of the Governor as a Young Man|url=http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/02/portrait-of-the-governor-as-a-young-man-chris-christie-103502_Page3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302005935/http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/02/portrait-of-the-governor-as-a-young-man-chris-christie-103502_Page3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 2, 2014|work=Politico|access-date=February 19, 2014}}</ref> Christie had incorrectly stated that the incumbents were under "investigation" for violating certain local laws. The lawsuit was settled out of court, with Christie acknowledging that the prosecutor had convened an "inquiry" instead of an "investigation", and apologizing for the error, which he said was unintentional.<ref name="Christie's 1st political foray">Symons, Michael and Ingle, Bob. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=sr1I6UMvrikC&pg=PA49 Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power]'', pp. 48–49 (Macmillan 2013).</ref><ref>Garber, Phil. "[http://www.digifind-it.com/easthanover/The%20Hanover%20Eagle/1996/1996-11-14.pdf Christie eats crow, apologizes for 1994 ads against rivals] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927024137/http://www.digifind-it.com/easthanover/The%20Hanover%20Eagle/1996/1996-11-14.pdf |date=September 27, 2013 }}", ''Hanover Eagle and Regional Weekly News'' (November 14, 1996).</ref>

As a county commissioner, Christie required the county government to obtain three quotes from qualified firms for all contracts. He led a successful effort to bar county officials from accepting gifts from people and firms doing business with the county. He voted to raise the county's open space tax for land preservation; however, county taxes, on the whole, were decreased by 6.6% during his tenure. He successfully pushed for the dismissal of an architect hired to design a new jail, saying that the architect was costing taxpayers too much money. The architect then sued Christie for defamation over remarks he made about the dismissal, eventually dropping the suit without explanation.<ref>{{cite news|last=Heininger|first=Claire|title=GOP candidate Chris Christie launched political career as Morris County freeholder|newspaper=The Star-Ledger|date=May 11, 2009|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/05/gop_candidate_chris_christie_l.html|access-date=August 25, 2009}}</ref><ref>Symons, Michael and Ingle, Bob. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=sr1I6UMvrikC&pg=PA56 Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power]'', p. 56 (Macmillan 2013).</ref>

In 1995, Christie announced a bid for a seat in the New Jersey General Assembly. He and attorney Rick Merkt ran on a ticket against incumbent Assemblyman Anthony Bucco and attorney Michael Patrick Carroll in the Republican primary. Christie ran as a pro-choice candidate and supporter of the ban on assault weapons.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nuzzi|first=Olivia|title=Portrait of the Governor as a young man|url=http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/02/portrait-of-the-governor-as-a-young-man-chris-christie-103502_Page3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302005935/http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/02/portrait-of-the-governor-as-a-young-man-chris-christie-103502_Page3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 2, 2014|work=Politico}}</ref> Bucco and Carroll, the establishment candidates, defeated the up-and-comers by a wide margin. After this loss, Christie's bid for re-nomination to the freeholder board was unlikely, as unhappy Republicans recruited John J. Murphy to run against Christie in 1997. Murphy defeated Christie in the primary.<ref name="political career">{{cite news|last=Pizarrom|first=Max|title=A political career in three parts: Chris Christie, the freeholder|publisher=PolitickerNJ.com|date=December 29, 2008|url=http://www.politickernj.com/max/26275/political-career-three-parts-chris-christie-freeholder|access-date=August 25, 2009}}</ref> Murphy, who had falsely accused Christie of having the county pay his legal bills in the architect's lawsuit, was sued by Christie after the election. They settled out of court with the freeholders admitting wrongdoing and apologizing.<ref>{{cite news |title=Freeholders admit wrongdoing, apologize over Christie suit|url=http://newjerseyhills.com/freeholders-admit-wrongdoing-apologize-over-christie-suit/article_a47e7ca7-67ce-504d-ab54-5c5764db9a78.html|publisher=New Jersey Hills |date=January 25, 2001 |access-date=February 22, 2014}}</ref> Christie's career in Morris County politics was over by 1998.<ref name="political career" />

=== Lobbyist === When Christie's part-time position as a chosen freeholder lapsed, he returned full attention to his law firm Dughi, Hewit & Palatucci. Alongside fellow partner and later, gubernatorial campaign fundraiser Bill Palatucci, Christie's firm opened an office in the state capital, Trenton, devoted mainly to lobbying.<ref>Symons, Michael and Ingle, Bob. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=sr1I6UMvrikC&pg=PA49 Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power]'', p. 61 (Macmillan 2013).</ref><ref name="njlobbying">{{cite news|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/08/gov_corzine_chris_christie_tra.html|title=Gov. Corzine, Chris Christie trade barbs about lobbying histories|author=Michael Rispoli|work=The Star-Ledger|date=August 26, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/01/07/in-new-jersey-and-across-america-chris-christie-casts-a-big-shadow.html|title=In New Jersey and Across America, Chris Christie Casts a Big Shadow|author=Lloyd Grove|work=The Daily Beast|date=January 7, 2013}}</ref> Between 1999 and 2001, Christie and Palatucci lobbied on behalf of GPU Energy for deregulation of New Jersey's electric and gas industry;<ref name="njlobbying" /> the Securities Industry Association to block the inclusion of securities fraud under the state's Consumer Fraud Act; Hackensack University Medical Center for state grants; and the University of Phoenix for a New Jersey higher education license.<ref name="lobbying">{{cite news|first=Josh|last=Margolin|title=Christie, Corzine duel over outsider label|work=The Star-Ledger|date=August 26, 2009|url=http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-14/1251251115315720.xml&coll=1|access-date=August 29, 2009|archive-date=October 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012204654/http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-14/1251251115315720.xml&coll=1|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the 2000 United States presidential election, Christie was George W. Bush's campaign lawyer for the state of New Jersey.<ref name="Lizza" />

== United States Attorney ==

=== Appointment === On December 7, 2001, President George W. Bush appointed Christie the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/12/20011207-9.html|title=Nominations|date=December 7, 2001|access-date=August 10, 2015}}</ref> During Republican presidential debates in August 2015 and November 2023,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sobko |first1=Katie |title=What Chris Christie had to say at the Republican debate in Miami |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/nation/2023/11/08/republican-debate-miami-chris-christie-attacks-trump/71510920007/ |access-date=November 8, 2023 |work=NorthJersey.com |publisher=North Jersey Media Group |date=November 8, 2023}}</ref> Christie falsely<ref>{{cite web |last1=Reid |first1=Nick |title=Christie says he was 'appointed' U.S. attorney the day before Sept. 11 attacks |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2015/aug/07/chris-christie/christie-says-he-was-appointed-be-us-attorney-day-/ |website=PolitiFact |date=August 7, 2015 |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref> claimed he had been appointed by President Bush on September 10, 2001, and that the 9/11 attacks occurred in his state the next day. Some members of the New Jersey Bar professed disappointment at Christie's lack of experience. At the time, he had never practiced in a federal courtroom before, and had little experience in criminal law. Christie received the overwhelming support of the Republican Party in New Jersey. A spokesperson for Governor Donald DiFrancesco, who selected nominees for the position, said that he received hundreds of letters of support for Christie "from everyone from the Assembly speaker down to the county level, close to every member of the Legislature and every county chairman." Christie was also a top fundraiser for Bush's 2000 presidential campaign. He helped raise $350,000 for Bush, qualifying him as a "Pioneer", and also donated to DiFrancesco.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mansnerus|first=Laura|title=New Jersey G.O.P. and Legal Elite Differ on U.S. Attorney|newspaper=The Star-Ledger|date=August 26, 2001|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/26/nyregion/new-jersey-gop-and-legal-elite-differ-on-us-attorney.html|access-date=March 25, 2009}}</ref><ref name="NewRepublic">{{cite magazine|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/116601/chris-christies-rise-and-fall|title=Chris Christie's Rise and Fall|last=MacGillis|first=Alec|magazine=The New Republic|date=February 12, 2014}}</ref> Democrats seized upon the role played by Bush's political adviser, Karl Rove, after Christie's law partner, William Palatucci, a Republican political consultant and Bush supporter, boasted that he had selected a United States attorney by forwarding Christie's résumé to Rove.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kirkpatrick|first1=David D.|last2=Rutenberg|first2=Jim|title=E-Mail Shows Rove's Role in Fate of Prosecutors|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 29, 2007|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/29/washington/29rove.html|access-date=August 26, 2009}}</ref> According to New Jersey's senior senator, Bob Torricelli, Christie promised to appoint a "professional" with federal courtroom experience as deputy if confirmed. By Senate tradition, if a state's senior Senator opposes the nomination of a U.S. Attorney, the nomination is effectively dead, but Christie's promise was enough for Torricelli to give the nomination his blessing.<ref name="NewRepublic" /> He was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on December 20, 2001, and sworn into office on January 17, 2002.

The brother of Christie's uncle (his aunt's second husband), Tino Fiumara, was an organized crime figure. According to Christie, the FBI presumably knew that when they conducted his background check.<ref name="fiumaralink">{{cite news|first1=David M.|last1=Halbfinger|first2=David|last2=Kocieniewski|title=For Christie, Family Tie No Candidate Can Relish|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 23, 2009 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/24/nyregion/24christie.html |access-date=October 17, 2009}}</ref> Later, Christie recused himself from the case and commented about what he had learned growing up with such a relative, "It just told me that you make bad decisions in life and you wind up paying a price."<ref name="fiumaralink" />

=== Enforcement record === thumb|left|Christie, {{circa|June 2004}}, served as the United States Attorney for New Jersey from 2002 to 2008. Christie served as U.S. Attorney from January 17, 2002, to December 1, 2008. His office included 137 attorneys, with offices in Newark, Trenton, and Camden. Christie also served on the 17-member Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys for Attorneys General John Ashcroft and Alberto Gonzales.

Soon after taking office, Christie let it be known that his office would make public corruption a high priority, second only to terrorism.<ref name="NewRepublic" /> During his six-year tenure, he received praise for his record of convictions in public corruption cases. His office convicted or won guilty pleas from 130 public officials, both Republican and Democratic, at the state, county and local levels.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Editorial |title=An impressive resume|newspaper=The Star-Ledger|date=November 17, 2008|url=http://blog.nj.com/njv_editorial_page/2008/11/an_impressive_resume.html|access-date=March 25, 2009}}</ref> The most notable of these convictions included those of Democratic Hudson County Executive Robert C. Janiszewski in 2002 on bribery charges,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/04/nyregion/former-new-jersey-official-admits-extorting-bribes.html|title=Former New Jersey Official Admits Extorting Bribes|work=The New York Times|date=October 4, 2002|first=Ronald|last=Smothers|access-date=April 28, 2010}}</ref> Republican Essex County Executive James W. Treffinger in 2003 on corruption charges,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smothers|first=Ronald|title=Treffinger Pleads Guilty To Corruption|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 31, 2003|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/31/nyregion/treffinger-pleads-guilty-to-corruption.html|access-date=March 25, 2009}}</ref> former Democratic New Jersey Senate President John A. Lynch Jr., in 2006 on charges of mail fraud and tax evasion,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kocieniewski|first=David|title=Guilty Plea Expected From Former Senate Leader in Trenton|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 15, 2006|url=http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/09/15/nyregion/15lynch.html|access-date=July 20, 2009}}</ref> State Senator and former Newark Democratic mayor Sharpe James in 2008 on fraud charges,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jeff Whelan|first=and John P. Martin |title=Newark ex-mayor Sharpe James is convicted of fraud |newspaper=The Star-Ledger|date=April 16, 2008|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/newark_ex_mayor_sharpe_james_convicted.html|access-date=March 25, 2009}}</ref> and Democratic State Senator Wayne R. Bryant in 2008 on charges of bribery, mail fraud, and wire fraud.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Livio|first=Susan K.|title=Ex-lawmaker Wayne Bryant is found guilty of bribery|newspaper=The Star-Ledger|date=November 19, 2008|url=http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/topstories/index.ssf/2008/11/exlawmaker_bryant_guilty_of_br.html|access-date=July 20, 2009}}</ref>

In 2005, following an investigation, Christie negotiated a plea agreement with Charles Kushner, under which he pleaded guilty to 18 counts of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, and witness tampering.<ref name="NYTimes 2005-03-05">Smothers, Ronald (March 5, 2005). [https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/05/nyregion/democratic-donor-receives-twoyear-prison-sentence.html "Democratic Donor Receives Two-Year Prison Sentence"]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved February 24, 2011.</ref><ref name="ApologyNYT">{{cite news|author=Hanley, Robert |date=January 13, 2005 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/13/nyregion/donor-apologized-to-sister-for-seduction-of-husband.html |title=Donor Apologized to Sister for Seduction of Husband |newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=November 29, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="NYT2007">Sullivan, John (August 22, 2004). [https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/22/nyregion/like-an-abandoned-planet.html "Like an 'Abandoned Planet'"]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved December 26, 2020.</ref> Kushner was sentenced to two years in prison.<ref name="NYTimes 2005-03-05" /> In December 2020, President Donald Trump pardoned Kushner.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Haberman |first1=Maggie |last2=Schmidt |first2=Michael S. |date=2020-12-24 |title=Trump Gives Clemency to More Allies, Including Manafort, Stone and Charles Kushner |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/23/us/politics/trump-pardon-manafort-stone.html |access-date=2025-03-08 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

From 2005 to 2007, Christie prosecuted the executives of Cendant for mail, wire, and securities fraud.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-01-05 |title=Jury convicts ex-Cendant exec of fraud |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna6789153 |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> During his 2009 gubernatorial campaign, Christie was criticized for buying shares of Cendant in 2004 and selling them the following year. Christie's defense was that his stock trades were made via investment in an externally-controlled fund and that he had inherited this prosecution from his predecessor Robert J. Cleary.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Friedman |first=Matt |date=2009-09-23 |title=Chrisite owned stock in company his office investigated |url=https://observer.com/2009/09/chrisite-owned-stock-in-company-his-office-investigated/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=The New York Observer |language=en-US}}</ref>

Christie negotiated seven deal deferred prosecution agreements (DPAs) during his tenure, some of which were controversial.<ref name="Barkow">Barkow, Anthony and Rachel Barkow. [https://books.google.com/books?id=BMUt-ZENDYcC&pg=PA4 ''Prosecutors in the Boardroom: Using Criminal Law to Regulate Corporate Conduct''], pp. 3–4 (NYU Press, 2011).</ref> Under agreements like these, corporations avoid prosecution if they promise not just to obey the law or pay for bad acts, but also promise to change personnel, or revamp business practices, or adopt new types of corporate governance. They are typically used in lieu of prosecution when there is evidence of particularly egregious corporate misconduct. Since 2002, these types of agreements have been sharply on the rise among federal prosecutors, with 23 between 2002 and 2005, and 66 between 2006 and 2008.<ref name="Barkow" /> Outside monitors are appointed in about half of all DPAs, to make sure that the corporations comply.<ref name="Barkow" /> In one case, Christie recommended the appointment of The Ashcroft Group, a consulting firm owned by his former boss John Ashcroft, as an outside monitor of Zimmer Holdings—a contract worth as much as $52 million from Zimmer, which was an amount in line with fee structures at that time.<ref name="Shenon" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Whelan|first=Jeff|title=Ashcroft's firm to collect $52M to monitor implant case|newspaper=The Star-Ledger|date=November 19, 2007|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2007/11/when_us_attorney_christopher_c.html |access-date=August 2, 2009}}</ref> In another instance, Christie's office deferred criminal prosecution of pharmaceutical company Bristol Myers in a deal that required the company to dedicate $5 million for a business ethics chair at Seton Hall University School of Law, Christie's alma mater.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reisinger|first=Sue|title=New DOJ Policy: Just Call it the Christopher Christie Amendment|website=Law.com|date=May 21, 2008|url=http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202421573691|access-date=June 2, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Christie Quits">{{Cite news |last1=Martin|first1=John P.|last2=Margolin|first2=Josh|title=Christie quits, setting GOP wheels in motion|newspaper=The Star-Ledger|date=November 18, 2008|url=http://blog.nj.com/ledgerarchives/2008/11/christie_quits_setting_gop_whe_1.html|access-date=July 20, 2009}}</ref>

Christie defended the appointment of Ashcroft, citing his prominence and legal acumen.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kocieniewski|first=David|title=In Testy Exchange in Congress, Christie Defends His Record as a Prosecutor|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 26, 2009|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/nyregion/26christie.html|access-date=July 25, 2009}}. Ashcroft defended the practice. ''See'' Ashcroft, John. [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/05/opinion/05ashcroft.html "Bailout Justice"], ''The New York Times'' (May 4, 2009).</ref> And he defended the Seton Hall donation as happenstance given that there was already a business ethics endowed chair at the only other law school in the state.<ref>Lattman, Peter. [https://blogs.wsj.com/law/2007/04/27/seton-hall-announces-new-drug-company-funded-health-law-center/ Seton Hall Announces Drugmaker-Funded Health Law Center], ''The Wall Street Journal'' (April 27, 2007). Christie also said that "It was not my idea. It was not my initiative. It was something they asked for..." ''See'' Symons, Michael and Ingle, Bob. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=sr1I6UMvrikC&pg=PA113 Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power]'', p. 113 (Macmillan 2013).</ref> Still, cases like these led to new rules within the Justice Department,<ref name="Shenon">{{Cite news |last=Shenon|first=Philip|title=New Guidelines Ahead of Ashcroft Testimony |newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 11, 2008|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/washington/11ashcroft.html|access-date=March 25, 2009|quote=The new monitoring guidelines offer no rules to help prosecutors determine how much a monitor should be paid. In Mr. Ashcroft's case, the fees were determined in negotiations between Zimmer and his firm, the Ashcroft Group. Outside lawyers who have reviewed Mr. Ashcroft's fee structure said it was not out of line. But Professor Henning said he believed that many companies were willing to pay exorbitant fees to a monitor in hopes of leniency.}}</ref><ref name="Christie's deferred prosecution agreements">{{Cite news |author=Paul Cox|title=N.J. GOP gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie's deferred prosecution agreements|work=The Star-Ledger|date=March 25, 2009|url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/06/nj_gop_gubernatorial_candidate.html|access-date=July 23, 2009}}</ref> and sparked a congressional hearing on the subject.<ref name="Barkow" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kocieniewski|first=David|title=In Testy Exchange in Congress, Christie Defends His Record as a Prosecutor|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 26, 2009|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/nyregion/26christie.html|access-date=July 25, 2009}}. GOP Representative Trent Franks called the hearing a "witch hunt" whereas Democratic Representative Bill Pascrell called the payment to Ashcroft "ransom". ''See'' Symons, Michael and Ingle, Bob. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=sr1I6UMvrikC&pg=PA115 Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power]'', p. 115 (Macmillan 2013).</ref><ref name="Christie agrees to testify">{{Cite news |last=Heininger|first=Claire|title=GOP candidate Chris Christie agrees to testify before Congress on federal monitoring contracts|newspaper=The Star-Ledger|date=June 19, 2009|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/gop_candidate_chris_christie_a_2.html|access-date=August 2, 2009}}</ref>

Besides doubling the size of the anticorruption unit for New Jersey,<ref>Symons, Michael and Ingle, Bob. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=sr1I6UMvrikC&pg=PA75 Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power]'', p. 75 (Macmillan 2013).</ref> Christie also prosecuted other federal crimes. For example, he obtained convictions of brothel owners who kept Mexican teenagers in slavery as prostitutes, convicted 42 gang members of the Double II Set of various crimes including more than 25 murders, and convicted British trader Hemant Lakhani of trying to sell missiles.<ref>Ryan, Joe. "[http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/11/christie_proved_himself_a_man.html Christie proved himself a man of convictions]", ''The Star Ledger'' (November 23, 2008).</ref> Despite claims of entrapment,<ref name=tal2009>{{cite episode|title=Arms Trader 2009|series=This American Life|airdate=August 7, 2009|season=15|number=387|minutes=50:45|network=Chicago Public Radio|url=http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/387/arms-trader-2009 |access-date=August 11, 2009}}</ref> Lakhani was convicted by jury in April 2005 of attempting to provide material support to terrorists, unlawful brokering of foreign defense articles, and attempting to import merchandise into the U.S. by means of false statements, plus two counts of money laundering. He was sentenced to 47 years in prison.<ref>"[https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2005/December/05_opa_641.html Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales Highlights Success in the War on Terror at the Council on Foreign Relations]", Department of Justice (December 1, 2005).</ref> [[File:ChrisChristie2.jpg|thumb|225px|Christie speaking to reporters in Hoboken regarding the indictments against former Newark mayor Sharpe James in July 2007]] In 2007, Christie prosecuted the planners of the averted 2007 Fort Dix attack plot, which he has frequently mentioned as a career highlight.<ref name="intercept">{{cite news|last1=Hussain|first1=Murtaza|last2=Ghalayini|first2=Razan |newspaper=The Intercept |publisher=First Look Media |title=Christie's Conspiracy|url=https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/06/25/fort-dix-five-terror-plot-the-real-story/ |date=June 25, 2015 |access-date=June 28, 2015}}</ref>

During the second term of George W. Bush, a controversy arose about the administration's dismissal of several U.S. attorneys, allegedly for political reasons. When it was revealed that Christie had been on a preliminary version of the hit list, New York Senator Charles Schumer said: "I was shocked when I saw Chris Christie's name on the list last night. It just shows a [Justice] department that has run amok."<ref name="Schumer">Symons, Michael and Ingle, Bob. ''[https://www.scribd.com/doc/129029457/%E2%80%9CChris-Christie-The-Inside-Story-of-His-Rise-to-Power%E2%80%9D-Pp-99-106 Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power]'', pp. 99–106 (Macmillan 2013).</ref> Pat Meehan, the U.S. attorney in Philadelphia, said: "Among his peers, Chris stands out as one of the most admired. If you were to create a list of the U.S. attorneys who have had the greatest impact, Chris would be one of the top two or three names I'd put on it. This defies explanation."<ref name="Schumer" />

Christie's opponents claimed that he was dropped from the Bush administration's hit list by going after Congressman Robert Menendez; for example, ''The New York Times'' columnist Paul Krugman wrote, "Menendez's claims of persecution now seem quite plausible."<ref name="Schumer" /> Christie had issued a subpoena regarding Menendez 65 days before the 2006 Senate election, in which Menendez defeated Republican Thomas Kean Jr. to become New Jersey's junior senator.<ref name="Lizza" /><ref name="Prosecutor Makes Meal">{{ Citation|last=Harowitz|first=Jason|title=Prosecutor Makes a Meal of N.J. Senate Race|newspaper=The New York Observer|date=October 15, 2006|url=http://observer.com/2006/10/prosecutor-makes-a-meal-of-nj-senate-race|access-date=November 5, 2009}}</ref> Christie's biographers (journalists Michael Symons and Bob Ingle) concluded that, "The timing of the Menendez-related subpoena doesn't line up right to support the critics' theory."<ref name="Schumer" /> Christie's aides have said that the subpoena was prompted by a newspaper report about Menendez,<ref name="Usually on attack">{{Cite news|last=Kocienniewski|first=David|title=Usually on Attack, U.S. Attorney in Newark Finds Himself on the Defensive|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 13, 2008|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/13/nyregion/13christie.html|access-date=May 28, 2009}}</ref> which prosecutors feared might imminently lead to destruction of documents and other evidence. The investigation of Menendez continued for years after Christie left office as U.S. Attorney, until Menendez was finally cleared on October 5, 2011.<ref name="Schumer" /> Menendez later resigned from office in 2024 after his conviction on federal charges for corruption, conspiracy to act as a foreign agent, accepting bribes, and obstruction of justice.<ref>{{cite web |last1=del Valle |first1=Lauren |last2=Scannell |first2=Kara |last3=Souza |first3=Sabrina |last4=Brown |first4=Nicki |date=July 16, 2024 |title=Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez found guilty in federal corruption trial; Chuck Schumer calls on him to resign |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/16/politics/bob-menendez-verdict/index.html |access-date=July 16, 2024 |website=CNN}}</ref>

== Governor of New Jersey (2010–2018) == === 2009 gubernatorial campaign === {{See also|2009 New Jersey gubernatorial election}} thumb|Christie's campaign bus pulls out front of Stainton Square in Ocean City, New Jersey. [[File:Flickr - The U.S. Army - NJ Governor Chris Christie, President George W. Bush and SFC Leroy Petry.jpg|thumb|Christie with former President George W. Bush and Leroy Petry in September 2011]] Christie filed as a candidate for the office of governor on January 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Margolin|first1=Josh|first2=Kristen|last2=Alloway|title=Christopher Christie files to run for New Jersey governor|newspaper=The Star-Ledger|location=Newark, New Jersey|date=January 8, 2009|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/01/christopher_christie_files_to.html|access-date=March 25, 2009}}</ref> Former Governor Thomas Kean helped Christie campaign and raise money.<ref name="Lizza" /> In the primary on June 2, Christie won the Republican nomination with 55% of the vote, defeating opponents Steve Lonegan and Rick Merkt.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/03/nyregion/03elect.html|title=Ex-Prosecutor Wins G.O.P. Primary in New Jersey |last=Halbfinger|first=David M.|date=June 2, 2009|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 3, 2009}}</ref> He then chose Kimberly Guadagno, Monmouth County sheriff, to complete his campaign ticket as a candidate for lieutenant governor. On November 3, Christie defeated Jon Corzine by a margin of 49% to 45%, with 6% of the vote going to independent candidate Chris Daggett.<ref>{{cite web|title=Official General Election Results|publisher=New Jersey Division of Elections|url=http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-official-general-election-gov-lt-gov-tallies-120109.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822213325/http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-official-general-election-gov-lt-gov-tallies-120109.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 22, 2012|access-date=November 1, 2012}}</ref>

=== 2013 gubernatorial campaign === {{Main|2013 New Jersey gubernatorial election}} In November 2012, Christie filed papers to run for a second term in office.<ref>{{cite news |first=Angela |last=Delli Santi |agency=Associated Press|url=https://news.yahoo.com/ap-sources-christie-files-seek-election-200243373--election.html|title=AP Sources: Chris Christie files to seek re-election |publisher=Yahoo! News|date=November 26, 2012|access-date=November 3, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Mark Murray|url=http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/26/15460809-christie-files-paperwork-to-run-for-re-election|title=Christie files paperwork to run for re-election|publisher=NBC News|date=November 26, 2012|access-date=December 1, 2012}}</ref> Christie was reelected by a large margin, 60% to 38% on November 5, 2013, defeating Democratic nominee Barbara Buono. Christie advisors said that Christie sought to win by a large margin to position himself for the presidential primaries and develop a model for other Republican candidates.<ref name="Martin">Martin, Jonathan. [https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/nyregion/christies-re-election-engine-gets-in-gear-for-a-bigger-race.html Christie's Re-election Engine Gets in Gear for a Bigger Race], ''The New York Times'' (August 17, 2013).</ref> Christie began building a national fundraising network, aided by the fact that only one other state had a gubernatorial contest in 2013, and those financial resources were intended to support a major outreach effort toward blacks, Hispanics and women.<ref name="Martin" /> He also ordered a $25 million special election to fill the seat of the deceased Senator Frank Lautenberg. The move was believed to be motivated by a desire to keep Newark Mayor Cory Booker from sharing an election day, 20 days afterward, with Christie, thereby depressing otherwise anticipated black voter turnout that tended to vote Democratic.<ref>[http://www.businessinsider.com/chris-christie-nj-special-election-date-set-oct-16-2013-6 Chris Christie Will Spend $25 Million Of Taxpayer Money To Avoid Cory Booker'], Business Insider, Brett LoGiurato, June 13, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2014.</ref>

== Tenure and political positions == {{Main|Governorship of Chris Christie}}

Christie took office as Governor of New Jersey on January 19, 2010.<ref>Fleisher, Lisa (January 19, 2010). [http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/01/governor_chris_christie_says_c.html "N.J. governor Chris Christie says 'change has arrived' during inauguration speech"]. ''The Star-Ledger''.</ref> He chose not to move his family into Drumthwacket, the governor's official mansion, and instead resided in a private Mendham Township, New Jersey, residence.<ref>[http://www.trentonian.com/article/20091107/NEWS/311079983/christie-i-won-t-live-at-drumthwacket?mobredirect=true "Christie: I won't live at Drumthwacket"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927082702/http://www.trentonian.com/article/20091107/NEWS/311079983/christie-i-won-t-live-at-drumthwacket?mobredirect=true |date=September 27, 2013 }}. ''The Trentonian''. November 7, 2009.</ref>

=== Fiscal issues === While campaigning for governor, Christie promised not to raise taxes. He also vowed to lower the state income and business taxes, with the qualification that this might not occur immediately.<ref name="Christie Promises Change">{{cite news |last1=Heininger |first1=Claire |last2=Margolin |first2=Josh |date=February 4, 2009 |title=Chris Christie promises change to a 'broken' state in campaign kickoff |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/chris_christie_promises_change.html |access-date=July 14, 2009 |newspaper=The Star-Ledger}}</ref>

As governor, Christie claims his annual budgets did not increase taxes, though he made reductions to tax credits such as the earned income tax credit and property tax relief programs;<ref>[http://www.factcheck.org/2012/08/christies-fact-free-keynote/ "Christie's Fact-Free Keynote"], FactCheck.org, Annenberg Public Policy Center (August 29, 2012).</ref><ref name="Erin">O'Neill, Erin. [http://www.politifact.com/new-jersey/statements/2012/aug/23/chris-christie/chris-christie-says-he-hasnt-raised-taxes-new-jers/ "Chris Christie says he hasn't raised taxes in New Jersey"], PolitiFact.com and ''The Star-Ledger'' (August 23, 2012).</ref> he would also sign legislation limiting property tax growth to 2% annually.<ref>{{cite news|title=NJ Gov Chris Christie plans to sign 2 percent tax cap into law |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/07/gov_chris_christie_plans_to_si.html |work=The Star-Ledger|date=July 13, 2010}}</ref> Under Christie, there were no rate increases in the state's top three revenue generators: income tax, sales tax, and corporate tax.<ref name="Erin" />

In February 2010, Christie signed an executive order declaring a "state of fiscal emergency" due to the projected $2.2 billion budget deficit for that fiscal year.<ref name="Christie EO 14">{{cite web|title=Governor Christie Executive Order No. 14|date=February 11, 2010|url=http://nj.gov/infobank/circular/eocc14.pdf|access-date=February 14, 2010}}</ref> Following the order, Christie proposed a new budget which eliminated the New Jersey Department of the Public Advocate, which had an upkeep of $1.3 million.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nj.com/news/2010/03/nj_gov_chris_christie_proposed.html|title=N.J. Gov. Chris Christie's proposed budget eliminates Office of the Child Advocate|first=Susan K.|last=Livio|work=NJ.com|date=March 26, 2010|access-date=November 19, 2020}}</ref> In late June 2011, Christie utilized New Jersey's line-item veto to eliminate nearly $1 billion from the proposed budget, signing it into law just hours prior to July 1, 2011, the beginning of the state's fiscal year.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Jarrett|last=Renshaw|title=Outrage boils over Christie's line-item veto cuts|date=July 2, 2011|newspaper=The Star-Ledger|location=Newark, New Jersey|url=http://www.nj.com/sunbeam-news/index.ssf/2011/07/outrage_boils_over_christies_l.html|access-date=July 3, 2011}}</ref> That same year, Christie signed into law a payroll tax cut authorizing the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development to reduce payroll deduction for most employees from $148 to $61 per year.<ref>Hester, Tom Sr. (October 17, 2011). [http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/economy/change-in-nj-payroll-tax-deduction-rate-to-save-workers-an-average-of-87-in-2012 "Change in N.J. payroll tax deduction rate to save workers an average of $87 in 2012 "] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320174648/http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/economy/change-in-nj-payroll-tax-deduction-rate-to-save-workers-an-average-of-87-in-2012 |date=March 20, 2012 }}, ''New Jersey Newsroom''. Retrieved February 20, 2014.</ref>

On five separate occasions, Christie vetoed legislation pushed by Democrats to implement a millionaire tax.<ref name="WaPo 2018-05-23">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/nj-democrats-loved-the-idea-of-taxing-the-rich---until-they-actually-could-do-it/2018/05/23/259e55c8-5d4f-11e8-a4a4-c070ef53f315_story.html|title=N.J. Democrats loved the idea of taxing the rich — until they actually could do it|last=Stein|first=Jeff|date=May 23, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=May 24, 2018}}</ref> After Democrat Phil Murphy became governor, Democrats backed off the legislation, with New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney stating, "[t]his state is taxed out. If you know anything about New Jersey, they're just weary of the taxes."<ref name="WaPo 2018-05-23" /> The tax was eventually passed into law in 2020.<ref>Tully, Tracey. [https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/17/nyregion/nj-millionaires-tax.html "Deal Reached in N.J. for ‘Millionaires Tax’ to Address Fiscal Crisis"], The New York Times, September 17, 2020, Web, accessed April 13, 2013.</ref>

During Christie's tenure, New Jersey's credit rating was downgraded nine times (across Standard & Poor, Fitch Ratings, and Moody's Investors Service), leaving only Illinois with a lower rating among U.S. states.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-10/new-jersey-has-credit-rating-lowered-by-one-step-to-a-by-s-p.html |title=N.J. Rating Cut by S&P as Christie Gets Record Downgrade |last1=Kaske |first1=Michelle |last2=Young |first2=Elise |date=September 10, 2014 |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |access-date=September 10, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-04-17/new-jersey-cut-by-moody-s-as-christie-gets-ninth-debt-downgrade |title=New Jersey Cut by Moody's as Christie Gets Ninth Debt Downgrade |last1=Dopp |first1=Terrence |date=April 16, 2015 |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |access-date=April 17, 2015}}</ref> Christie received a B grade in 2012<ref>{{cite web|last=Edwards|first=Chris|publisher=Cato Institute|url=http://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/GRC2012.pdf|title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors 2012|date=October 9, 2012|access-date=September 3, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Edwards|first=Chris|publisher=Cato Institute|url=http://www.cato.org/publications/white-paper/fiscal-policy-report-card-americas-governors-2012|title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors: 2012|date=October 9, 2012|access-date=September 3, 2015}}</ref> and in 2014<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kaeding|first1=Nicole|last2=Edwards|first2=Chris|publisher=Cato Institute|url=http://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/fprc-on-americas-governors_1.pdf|title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors 2014|date=October 2, 2014|access-date=September 3, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Kaeding|first1=Nicole|last2=Edwards|first2=Chris|publisher=Cato Institute|url=http://www.cato.org/publications/white-paper/fiscal-policy-report-card-americas-governors-2014|title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors 2014|date=October 2, 2014|access-date=September 3, 2015}}</ref> from the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, in their biennial fiscal policy report on America's governors.

==== Tax credits and incentives ==== On September 18, 2013, Christie signed legislation to overhaul the state's business tax incentive programs. The legislation reduced the number of tax incentive programs from five to two, raised the caps on tax credits, and allowed smaller companies to qualify. It also increased the credits available for businesses in South Jersey.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chris Christie Signs New Jersey Tax Incentives Bill|author=Heather Haddon|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2013/09/18/chris-christie-signs-new-jersey-tax-incentives-bill|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=September 18, 2013|access-date=September 23, 2013}}</ref>

==== Public employee pensions ==== In March 2010, Christie signed into law three state pension reform bills, which had passed with bipartisan support. The laws decreased pension benefits for future hires and required public employees to contribute 1.5 percent of their salaries toward their health care. The laws prompted a lawsuit by the police and firefighters' unions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Megerian |first=Chris |title=N.J. police, firefighter unions sue to stop pension reform laws |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=April 23, 2010 |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/04/nj_police_firefighter_unions_s.html |access-date=March 5, 2011}}</ref> In his campaign for governor, Christie opposed any change in pension benefits for firefighters and law enforcement officers, including "current officers, future officers or retirees". He described the pension agreement as "a sacred trust".<ref>{{cite news |last=Garber |first=Phil |date=March 11, 2011 |title=Mount Olive Township Sergeant chides Christie: Officer says governor violated promise to keep 'sacred trust'|url=http://newjerseyhills.com/mt_olive_chronicle/news/mount-olive-township-sergeant-chides-christie/article_ffb99aba-4a88-11e0-930a-001cc4c03286.html|access-date=May 24, 2014}}</ref>

Later that year, he called for further cuts, including the elimination of cost-of-living adjustments for all current and future retirees.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fleisher |first=Lisa |title=Gov. Christie proposes pension, benefits changes for public workers |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=September 14, 2010 |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/09/gov_christie_to_propose_pensio.html |access-date =March 5, 2011 }}</ref> In June 2011, Christie announced a deal with the Democratic leadership of the legislature on a reform of public employee pensions and benefits. The deal raised public employees' pension contributions, mandated the state to make annual payments into the system, increased public employee contributions toward health insurance premiums, and ended collective bargaining for health benefits. The reform is projected to save the state $120 billion over 30 years.<ref>{{cite news|title=Christie wins on pension, health benefits reform|author=Mark Impomeni|url=http://www.humanevents.com/2011/06/22/christie-wins-on-pension-health-benefits-reform|work=Human Events|date=June 22, 2011|access-date=August 4, 2013|archive-date=May 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511152239/http://humanevents.com/2011/06/22/christie-wins-on-pension-health-benefits-reform/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In June 2013, Christie signed a $33 billion state budget that made a record $1.7 billion payment to the state's pension fund and also increased school funding by almost $100 million. The budget resulted from negotiations between Christie and Democratic leaders in the state legislature and was the first that Christie had signed as passed without vetoing any of its provisions.<ref>{{cite news|title=Christie signs bipartisan budget, but vetoes 8 Democratic bills|author=Salvador Rizzo|url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/06/gov_christie_signs_2013_nj_budget.html|work=The Star-Ledger|date=June 28, 2013}}</ref>

In May 2014, Christie cut the contributions to New Jersey public workers' pension funds for a 14-month period by nearly $2.5 billion to deal with a revenue shortfall in the state budget of $2.75 billion.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/05/20/chris-christie-new-jersey-pension-payments/9333971/ |title=Gov. Christie cuts N.J. pension payments |last1=Symons |first1=Michael |date=May 20, 2014 |website=USA Today |agency=The Asbury Park (N.J.) Press |access-date=May 22, 2014}}</ref> The state would instead make a $1.3 billion payment during the period. Christie cited the state constitution's requirement to have a balanced budget for his decision to cut payments to pensions for state workers, and followed his changes to the state's pension formula earlier in 2014 to save $900 million through the end of his term.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Miller |first=Zeke |date=May 20, 2014 |title=Christie Cuts Pension Payments as Fiscal Record Shows Cracks|url=https://time.com/106570/christie-cuts-pension-payments-as-fiscal-record-shows-cracks/|magazine=Time|access-date=May 23, 2014}}</ref>

==== Legalization of online gambling ==== In February 2013, online gambling was legalized in New Jersey after the state's Legislature passed Bill A2578, which was later signed into law by Christie. Christie was instrumental in the legalization of online gambling in the state, citing the need for increased state revenue in the years after the 2008 recession. After vetoing previous versions of the bill, Christie signed the latest version into law after ensuring the regulatory framework was in place to safeguard players and create a responsible gambling environment.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Raise the tax, please! 15% of gambling income goes to New Jersey treasury|url=https://www.deseret.com/2013/2/19/20514560/n-j-gov-chris-christie-silicon-valley-want-legalized-online-gambling|date=February 19, 2013|access-date=February 17, 2023|website=deseret.com|language=en-US}}</ref> Christie was also vocal about the offshore gambling market, claiming that states lost billions in tax revenues to offshore, unregulated, and untaxed operators.

In October 2014, Christie signed a bill to legalize sports betting in New Jersey.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chris Christie signs New Jersey sports betting bill law|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/chalk/story/_/id/11718151/governor-chris-christie-signs-new-jersey-sports-betting-bill-law|date=October 14, 2014|access-date=February 17, 2023|website=espn.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Education === [[File:2.9.11ChrisChristieTownHallByLuigiNovi7.jpg|thumb|left|Christie at a February 2011 town hall meeting at Edison School in Union City, New Jersey]] One of Christie's most controversial school policies was to increase the state's control of school districts.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/14/05/12/explainer-state-control-of-local-school-districts-comes-under-fire-in-third-decade/ |title=State Control of Local School Districts Comes under Fire in Third Decade |website=NJ Spotlight|date=May 13, 2014 |access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref> The districts contained relatively high numbers of underachieving students, people of color, poor people, and members of the Democratic Party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nj.gov/education/archive/abbotts/sosd/archive/streport.htm|title=Report to the Commissioner: Working Group on State Takeover|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-date=September 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910082602/http://nj.gov/education/archive/abbotts/sosd/archive/streport.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Phil|last=Dunn|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/25/camden-schools-takeover/2017259/|title=N.J. governor announces takeover of Camden schools|newspaper=USA Today|date=March 25, 2013|access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref> In Newark, Christie hired Chris Cerf to replace Cami Anderson as the state-appointed superintendent of its school district.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bobbraunsledger.com/scrap-the-newark-education-success-board-it-will-only-impede-local-control/ |title=Scrap the 'Newark Educational Success Board'–it will only impede local control |website=Bob Braun's Ledger|date=August 11, 2015 |access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bobbraunsledger.com/christie-and-cami-have-stolen-more-than-money-from-newark/|title=Christie and Cami have stolen more than money from Newark|website=Bob Braun's Ledger|date=March 4, 2015 |access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref> Under Christie, Cerf overruled the district's locally elected school board.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bobbraunsledger.com/the-newark-board-defies-cerf-cerf-politely-defies-the-newark-board-christie-is-still-the-decider/|title=The Newark board defies Cerf. Cerf (politely) defies the Newark board. Christie is still the 'decider.'|website=Bob Braun's Ledger|date=August 26, 2015 |access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref> Recent research indicated that the reforms implemented by Christie, Anderson, and Cerf did not improve educational outcomes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://njedpolicy.wordpress.com/2015/11/15/research-note-on-average-are-children-in-newark-doing-better/|title=Research Note: On Average, Are Children in Newark Doing Better?|publisher=New Jersey Education Policy Forum|date=November 15, 2015}}</ref>

Christie has been accused of under-funding school districts. Reports indicated that Christie's administration did not adhere to the School Funding Reform Act, and illegally withheld funds from districts throughout the state. His 2017 school funding proposal was described by education researchers as "one of the least equitable in the country".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://njedpolicy.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/how-fair-is-the-fairness-formula-for-new-jersey-school-children-taxpayers/|title=How Fair is the "Fairness Formula" for New Jersey School Children & Taxpayers?|publisher=New Jersey Education Policy Forum|date=June 30, 2016|access-date=December 8, 2018}}</ref> State commissioner of education Chris Cerf defended policies declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/03/cerf_defends_christies_propose.html|title=Cerf defends Christie's proposed changes to school funding formula|website=The Star Ledger|last=Calefati|first=Jessica|date=March 29, 2012|access-date=July 14, 2023}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=July 2023}}

Christie, whose children attend Catholic school, supports the state giving tax credits to parents who send their children to private and parochial schools.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wiener |first=Robert |title=Christie holds meeting with Orthodox leaders: Republican hopeful offers support for school funding plans |newspaper=New Jersey Jewish News |date=August 6, 2009 |url=http://www.njjewishnews.com/njjn.com/080609/njChristieHoldsMeetings.html |access-date=May 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112152540/http://njjewishnews.com/njjn.com/080609/njChristieHoldsMeetings.html |archive-date=January 12, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He also supports school vouchers, which parents of students in failing school districts could use for tuition in private schools or for public schools in communities outside their own.<ref name="Christie condemns">{{cite news |last=Rispoli |first=Michael |title=GOP gov. candidate Chris Christie condemns N.J. public schools as Gov. Corzine heralds system |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=June 22, 2009 |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/gop_gov_candidate_chris_christ.html |access-date=July 20, 2009}}</ref> Christie supports merit pay for teachers.<ref name="Christie aims">{{cite news|first=David M. |last=Halbfinger |title=Christie Aims at Democrats Unhappy With Poor Schools |newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 18, 2009 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/19/nyregion/19choice.html |access-date=July 20, 2009}}</ref>

On August 25, 2010, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that $400 million in federal Race to the Top education grants to New Jersey would not be issued due to a clerical error in the state's application by an unidentified mid-level state official. Christie said that the Obama administration had overstepped its authority, and the error was in the administration's failure to communicate with the New Jersey government.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Friedman|first=Matt|date=August 25, 2010|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/08/gov_christie_blames_washington.html|title=Gov. Christie blames Washington bureaucracy for state's failed 'Race to the Top' application|work=The Star-Ledger|access-date=July 5, 2011}}</ref> It was later learned that the issue had been raised with Bret Schundler, Christie's education commissioner. Christie asked for Schundler's resignation; Schundler initially agreed to resign, but asked to be fired the following morning to claim unemployment benefits. According to Schundler, he told Christie the truth and Christie misstated what actually occurred.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Katz|first=Matt|date=August 28, 2010|url=http://articles.philly.com/2010-08-28/news/24999092_1_christie-top-schools-official-million-mistake|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531211727/http://articles.philly.com/2010-08-28/news/24999092_1_christie-top-schools-official-million-mistake|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 31, 2011|title=Christie fires education chief Schundler after U.S. aid mistake|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|access-date=July 5, 2011}}</ref>

The Christie administration approved 23 new charter schools in January 2011, including New Jersey's first independent school for children with autism. The approvals increased the state's number of charter schools to 96.<ref>{{cite news|title=Christie Expands Number of Charter Schools in New Jersey|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/christie-expands-number-of-charter-schools-in-new-jersey/|publisher=Fox News|date=January 19, 2011}}</ref>

On August 6, 2012, Christie signed a law reforming the tenure system for New Jersey public-school teachers. Under the law, teachers would be required to work four years (instead of three) to earn tenure; they would also need to receive positive ratings for two consecutive years. Tenured teachers with poor ratings for two consecutive years would be eligible for dismissal, with the hearing process for appeals related to dismissal of tenured teachers limited to 105 days.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Jersey Gov Chris Christie gets tough on teacher tenure|first=Rachel |last=Monahan|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/new-jersey-gov-chris-christie-tough-teacher-tenure-new-law-requires-educators-work-years-reach-status-article-1.1130359|work=New York Daily News|date=August 6, 2012}}</ref>

On March 6, 2013, the Christie administration released proposed regulations to overhaul the process of evaluating public-school teachers. Under the proposal, a percentage of teacher evaluations would be based on student improvement in state tests or student achievement goals set by principals.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Leslie Brody|date=March 6, 2013|title=Christie administration reveals details of teacher evaluation proposal|url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/Christie_administration_unveils_details_of_teacher_evaluation_proposal.html|website=NorthJersey.com |access-date=August 19, 2013}}</ref>

In September 2014, Christie signed a partnership with Mexico on a higher-education project to foster economic cooperation. The program would focus on research ventures, cross-border fellowships, student and teacher exchanges, conferences, and other educational opportunities.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Colvin |first1=Jil |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2014/09/04/christie-continues-mexico-trade-mission |title=Christie signs partnership with Mexico on higher education projects, won't discuss immigration |website=U.S. News & World Report |agency=Associated Press|access-date=September 9, 2014}}</ref>

=== Energy and environment === Christie has stated that he believes that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is too big and is "killing business" with permit delays and indiscriminate fines. He announced that, if elected, the agency would be his first target for government reduction: he would reduce its workforce and strip it of its fish and wildlife oversight.<ref name="DEP cuts">{{cite news |last=Rispoli |first=Michael |title=GOP candidate Chris Christie calls for cuts to N.J. Department of Environmental Protection |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=April 28, 2009 |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/gop_candidate_chris_christie_c.html |access-date=July 25, 2009}}</ref>

Christie has stated that he intends to simultaneously spur growth in the state's manufacturing sector and increase New Jersey's capability to produce alternative energy. He has proposed a list of policy measures to achieve this, including giving tax credits to businesses that build new wind energy and manufacturing facilities, changing land use rules to allow solar energy on permanently preserved farmland, installing solar farms on closed landfills, setting up a consolidated energy promotion program, and following a five-to-one production to non-production job ratio in the creation of new energy jobs.<ref name="Energy as Industry">{{cite web |title=Energy as Industry |publisher=Chris Christie for Governor, Inc |url=http://www.christiefornj.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=180&Itemid=50 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110810072843/http://www.christiefornj.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=180&Itemid=50 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 10, 2011 |access-date=July 14, 2009}}</ref> In August 2010, legislation to encourage the development of wind power in New Jersey was signed by Christie at the Port of Paulsboro. The ''Offshore Wind Economic Development Act'' authorized New Jersey Economic Development Authority to provide up to $100 million in tax credits for wind energy facilities.<ref>{{cite news |last=Beym |first=Jessica |title=Gov. Chris Christie at Paulsboro Marine Terminal to sign wind energy bill into law |newspaper=South Jersey Times |date=August 19, 2010 |url=http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2010/08/gov_chris_christie_at_paulsbor.html |access-date=May 17, 2014 }}</ref> The governor has pledged to ban coal-fired power plants, and to reach 22.5% renewable generation in the state by 2021.<ref name="environmentalleader">{{cite web|url=http://www.environmentalleader.com/2011/05/27/new-jersey-pulls-out-of-rggi-bans-coal-plants/|title=New Jersey Quits RGGI, Bans Coal Plants · Environmental Management & Sustainable Development News · Environmental Leader|website=environmentalleader.com|access-date=February 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207104236/http://www.environmentalleader.com/2011/05/27/new-jersey-pulls-out-of-rggi-bans-coal-plants/|archive-date=February 7, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On May 26, 2011, Christie announced he would pull the state out of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gov. Christie announces N.J. pulling out of regional environmental initiative |date=May 26, 2011 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/05/gov_christie_to_announce_nj_pu.html |access-date=May 26, 2011}}</ref> This was challenged in court which ruled in March 2014 that Christie had acted illegally in doing so since state regulations do not permit it.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hutchins |first=Ryan |title=Christie administration broke law in ignoring greenhouse gas rules, court says |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=March 25, 2014 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/03/christie_administration_broke_law_in_ignoring_greenhouse_gas_rules_court_says.html |access-date=May 28, 2014}}</ref> His administration sought to repeal the rules.<ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Brent |title=Christie administration seeks to repeal rules tied to greenhouse gas program |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=May 27, 2014 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/05/christie_administration_seeks_to_repeal_greenhouse_gas_rules.html |access-date=May 28, 2014}}</ref>

==== Hydraulic fracturing ==== Christie has rejected permanent bans on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in New Jersey and vetoed measures that would ban the process and disposal of hydraulic fracturing waste in the State. New Jersey has few proven shale reserves and the process is not practiced there. Christie argued that the vetoed Senate Bill (S253) was premature because of an ongoing study to be completed in 2014 and would discriminate against other states, a violation of the Dormant Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.<ref name="PCT01102012">{{cite news|first=Malewitz|last=Jim|date=September 24, 2012|title=In New Jersey, Christie Vetoes Anti-Fracking Bill|url=http://www.pewstates.org/projects/stateline/headlines/in-new-jersey-christie-vetoes-anti-fracking-bill-85899418995|work=Stateline|publisher=The Pew Charitable Trusts|access-date=November 13, 2013|archive-date=November 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113181551/http://www.pewstates.org/projects/stateline/headlines/in-new-jersey-christie-vetoes-anti-fracking-bill-85899418995|url-status=dead}}</ref> Supporters of legislation have said that hydraulic fracturing waste from Pennsylvania makes its way into New Jersey for treatment, although how much is not clear. They also criticized Christie's legal analysis saying that the Office of Legislative Services has said that the bill is constitutional.<ref name="PCT01102012" />

==== ExxonMobil environmental contamination lawsuit ==== {{Main|ExxonMobil–New Jersey environmental contamination settlement}}

Christie's administration settled a lawsuit with ExxonMobil by allowing the corporation to pay $225 million in damages for environmental contamination at two sites, less than 3% of the $8.9 billion that the state's lawyers had sought, and extended the compensation to cover other damages not named in the original lawsuit.<ref name="ExxonSettlement">{{cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/03/state_announces_settlement_in_controversial_exxon.html|title=State announces settlement in controversial Exxon Mobil pollution case|last=Sullivan|first=S.P.|work=The Star-Ledger|date=March 5, 2015|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref> The settlement was criticized by environmental advocates. David Pringle, state campaign director of Clean Water Action, called it "the biggest corporate subsidy in state history", vowing to overturn it.<ref>{{cite web |title=N.J. judge approves controversial Christie, Exxon settlement |website=NJ.com |last=Marcus |first=Samantha |date=August 25, 2015 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/08/nj_judge_approves_controversial_christie_exxon_set.html |access-date=August 9, 2023}}</ref> Jeff Tittel of the Sierra Club said the settlement was "a violation of the public trust."<ref name="ExxonSettlement" /> The New Jersey State Senate also condemned the deal, with state senator Raymond Lesniak and others suggesting the decision was Christie's effort to plug his own budget shortfalls at the expense of taxpayers over the long term.<ref>{{cite web |title=N.J. lawmaker calls for resignation of state's acting attorney general amid Exxon controversy |website=NJ.com |date=March 5, 2015 |last=Arco |first=Matt |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/03/lawmaker_calls_for_resignation_of_states_acting_at.html |access-date=August 9, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Exxon Settles $9 Billion Pollution Case in New Jersey for Far Less |work=The New York Times |last=Weiser |first=Benjamin |date=February 27, 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/28/nyregion/exxon-mobil-settles-with-new-jersey-over-environmental-damage.html |access-date=August 9, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/03/state_senate_condemns_christies_exxon_settlement.html|title=N.J. Senate condemns Christie's Exxon settlement|last=Sullivan|first=S.P.|work=The Star-Ledger|date=March 16, 2015|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref> ExxonMobil had donated $500,000 to the Republican Governors Association while Christie was chairman, though they have insisted it was unrelated to the ongoing suit. The previous gubernatorial administration, that of Democrat Jon Corzine, had also attempted to settle with Exxon, for $550 million, though this offer was made before a 2009 ruling that strengthened the state's bargaining position.<ref name="NYTimesExxon">{{cite news|url=http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/03/20/nyregion/christie-administration-deal-with-exxon-was-years-in-the-making.html|title=Christie Administration Deal With Exxon Was Years in the Making|last1=Weiser|first1=Benjamin|last2=Zernike|first2=Kate|work=The New York Times|date=March 15, 2015|access-date=June 30, 2015 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

==== Farm animal welfare ==== In June 2013, Christie vetoed S1921, an animal welfare bill introduced by the Humane Society of the United States to prohibit the use of gestation crates on pregnant pigs in the state. The bill had passed in the General Assembly with a vote of 60–5 and the Senate 29–4.<ref>{{cite news |title=SENATE, No. 1921 |publisher=New Jersey Legislature |date=May 13, 2012 |url=http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/S2000/1921_R1.HTM |access-date=November 30, 2014 |archive-date=August 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826115144/http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/S2000/1921_R1.HTM |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=\Chris Christie Vetoes NJ Pork Gestation Crate Ban|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/27/chris-christie-gestation-crate_n_3512521.html |work=The Huffington Post |date=June 27, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Huffstuutter |first=P. J. |title=New Jersey governor vetoes ban on gestation crate use |publisher=Reuters |date=January 27, 2013 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-farm-gestation-crate-veto-idUSBRE95Q1I920130627 |access-date=November 30, 2014}}</ref> A 2013 survey by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc. showed 91% of New Jersey voters supported the legislation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Animal Welfare Groups Urge N.J. Legislators to Support Override on Gestation Crate Bill |publisher=Humane Society of the United States |date=September 17, 2013 |url=http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2013/09/animal-welfare-groups-urge-gestation-crate-bill-override-091713.html |access-date=December 6, 2014}}</ref> An attempt to override the veto did not come to a vote.<ref>{{cite news |last=Portnoy |first=Jenna |title=N.J. Senate to attempt to override Christie's veto on pig crates bill Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a bill in June that would have prohibited the farm practice of placing pregnant pigs in gestation cages |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=November 11, 2013 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/11/chris_christie_pig_veto_override.html |access-date=November 30, 2014}}</ref> In October 2014, a similar bill banning gestation crates, S998, was proposed with a vote in the Senate of 32–1 and in the Assembly of 53–13 (with 9 abstentions).<ref>{{cite news |title=SENATE, No. 998 |publisher=New Jersey Legislature |date=January 27, 2014 |url=http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2014/Bills/S1000/998_I1.HTM |access-date=November 30, 2014 |archive-date=December 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205080413/http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2014/Bills/S1000/998_I1.HTM |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=S998 Sca (1R) |publisher=New Jersey Legislature |url=http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillView.asp?BillNumber=S998 |access-date=November 30, 2014 |archive-date=December 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205075958/http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillView.asp?BillNumber=S998 |url-status=dead }}</ref> While campaigning in Iowa in November, in a conversation with the former president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, Christie indicated he would veto the bill.<ref>{{cite news |last=Arco |first=Matt |title=Chris Christie tells Iowa voters he'll veto N.J. pig bill that's unpopular in presidential battleground state |work=The Star-Ledger |date=November 14, 2014 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/11/chris_christie_tells_iowa_voters_hell_veto_nj_pig_bill_thats_unpopular_in_2016_presidential_battlegr.html |access-date=December 6, 2014}}</ref> He did so on November 27, 2014.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brodesser-Akner |first=Claude |title=Christie vetoes pig crate ban, accuses sponsors of partisan politicking |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=November 28, 2014 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/11/christie_vetoes_pig_crate_ban_accusses_sponsors_of_partisan_politicking.html |access-date=November 30, 2014}}</ref> The bill's sponsor, Senator Raymond Lesniak, had vowed to override it.<ref>{{cite news |last=Arco |first=Matt |title=Lawmakers will try to override Chris Christie veto of N.J. pig bill as Iowa governor cheers it |work=The Star-Ledger |date=December 2, 2014 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/12/lawmakers_will_try_to_override_christie_veto_of_nj_pig_bill_as_iowa_governor_cheers_it.html |access-date=December 6, 2014}}</ref>

=== New Jersey Supreme Court nominations === thumb|Governor Chris Christie speaking at an event in October 2015 By tradition since the 1947 state constitution, the seven-member New Jersey Supreme Court maintains a political balance and is composed of four members of either the Democratic Party or Republican Party and three of the other.<ref name="Chris Cristie stung">{{cite news |last=Celock |first=John |title=Chris Christie, Stung By New Jersey Supreme Court Nominee Defeat, Attacks Democratic Lawmakers |work=HuffPost|date=May 31, 2012 |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/chris-christie-new-jersey-supreme-court-nominee_n_1560938 |access-date=April 10, 2014}}</ref> Christie broke with the tradition in May 2010 when he chose not to renominate Justice John E. Wallace Jr.<ref>{{cite news |last=Love |first=David A. |title=Ouster of a black judge is linked to Christie's Bridgegate |publisher=The Grio |date=January 14, 2014 |url=http://thegrio.com/2014/01/14/ouster-of-a-black-judge-is-linked-to-christies-bridgegate/ |access-date=May 3, 2014}}</ref> While on the campaign trail, Christie had said the court "inappropriately encroached on both the executive and legislative function, and that if elected governor, [he] would take steps . . . to bring back an appropriate constitutional balance to the court."<ref>{{cite news |last=Lu |first=Adrienne |title=Christie acts to replace only black N.J. justice He nominated Anne M. Patterson to the high court. |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=May 4, 2010 |url=http://articles.philly.com/2010-05-04/news/25217679_1_renomination-lifetime-tenure-entire-justice-system |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504030341/http://articles.philly.com/2010-05-04/news/25217679_1_renomination-lifetime-tenure-entire-justice-system |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 4, 2014 |access-date=May 3, 2014}}</ref> Over the course of his tenure, Christie had been in a major conflict with the New Jersey Legislature over the court's partisan balance.<ref>{{cite news |last=Magyar |title=Christie's Judicial Shuffle Escalates Supreme Court Battle |publisher=NJ Spotlight |date=August 13, 2013 |url=http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/13/08/13/christie-s-judicial-shuffle-escalates-supreme-court-battle/?p=all |access-date=April 11, 2014}}</ref><ref name="DPRA head">{{cite news |last=Burney |first=Melanie |title=Christie plans to name DRPA head as judge |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=January 5, 2014 |url=http://articles.philly.com/2014-01-05/news/45862125_1_matheussen-drpa-christie |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504030932/http://articles.philly.com/2014-01-05/news/45862125_1_matheussen-drpa-christie |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 4, 2014 |access-date=May 2, 2014}}</ref> The stand-off between the governor and the New Jersey Senate resulted in longstanding vacancies, with temporarily assigned appellate judges filling in.<ref>{{cite news |last=Aron |first=Michael |title=Supreme Court Still On Standoff Over Appointments |work=NJ Spotlight News |date=December 26, 2013 |url=https://www.njspotlightnews.org/video/supreme-court/ |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Rizzo |first=Salvador |title=Reacting to Christie, NJ lawyers call for constitutional amendment to protect judges |work=The Star-Ledger |date=April 11, 2014 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/04/reacting_to_christie_nj_lawyers_call_for_constitutional_amendment_to_protect_judges.html |access-date=August 11, 2014}}</ref>

=== Minimum wage and equal pay for women === In January 2013, Christie vetoed a New Jersey Legislature bill that would have raised the minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 per hour.<ref>{{cite news |last=Portnoy |first=Jenna |title=Christie vetoes minimum wage bill, Democrats vow to put measure on ballot |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=January 28, 2013 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/01/christie_minimum_wage.html |access-date=October 28, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Russ |first=Hilary |title=Chris Christie Vetoes Minimum Wage Increase, Proposes Smaller One |website=Huffington Post |date=January 28, 2014 |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/28/chris-christie-minimum-wage_n_2568576.html |access-date=October 28, 2014}}</ref> The following November, the issue was placed on the ballot as a constitutional amendment referendum, passing with 61% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news |last=Livio |first=Susan |title=N.J. voters approve constitutional amendment raising minimum wage |newspaper=The Jersey Journal |date=November 5, 2013 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/11/nj_voters_approve_constitutional_amendment_raising_minimum_wage.html |access-date=October 28, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Election 2013: New Jersey ballot question results |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=November 5, 2013 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/11/election_2013_new_jersey_ballot_question_results.html |access-date=October 28, 2014}}</ref>

On September 21, 2012, Christie signed Assembly Bill No. 2647 (A-2647) into law that requires employers to post and distribute notice of employees' rights to gender-equal pay, but conditionally vetoed other gender parity bills, requesting revision.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Jersey Imposes Gender-Equality Notice Obligations on Employers|url=http://www.natlawreview.com/article/new-jersey-imposes-gender-equality-notice-obligations-employers|work=The National Law Review|publisher=Morgan, Lewis & Bockius |location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |date=October 2, 2012|access-date=December 5, 2012}}</ref>

=== Immigration === Christie emphasizes the need to secure the border, and believes it is premature to discuss legalization of people who came to the United States unlawfully.<ref>Massie, Christopher. [https://www.buzzfeed.com/christophermassie/christie-rubio-wrong-to-propose-legalization-of-undocumented "Christie: Rubio 'Wrong' To Propose Legalization Of Undocumented Immigrants"], BuzzFeed News (December 19, 2015).</ref> While serving as U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, Christie stressed that simply "[b]eing in this country without proper documentation is not a crime," but rather a civil wrong; and that undocumented people are not criminals unless they have re-entered the country after being deported. As such, Christie stated, responsibility for dealing with improperly documented foreign nationals lies with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, not the U.S. Attorney's Office.<ref name="Immigrants">{{cite news|first=Julie |last=O'Connor |title=Christie: Immigrants are not criminals |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=April 27, 2008 |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/immigrants_and_their_advocates.html |access-date=July 28, 2009}}</ref>

Christie has been critical about section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, enacted in 1996, which can be used to grant local law enforcement officers power to perform immigration law enforcement functions.<ref name="LG tour">{{cite news|first=Max |last=Pizarro |title=Christie stands with Guadagno on first stop of LG tour |publisher=PolitickerNJ.com |date=July 20, 2009 |url=http://www.politickernj.com/max/31534/christie-stands-guadagno-first-stop-lg-tour |access-date=July 28, 2009}}</ref>

==== In state tuition for undocumented immigrants ==== In December 2013, Christie signed legislation allowing unauthorized immigrants who attend high school for at least three years in New Jersey and graduate to be eligible for the resident rates at state college and universities and community colleges.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baxter |first=Christopher |title=Chris Christie signs bill granting in-state tuition to N.J. immigrants |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=December 20, 2013 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/12/chris_christie_signs_bill_granting_in-state_tuition_to_nj_immigrants.html |access-date=April 1, 2014}}</ref>

=== Social issues ===

==== Abortion ==== Early in his political career, Christie stated in an interview that "I would call myself … a kind of a non-thinking pro-choice person, kind of the default position".<ref>{{cite book |author1=Bob Ingle |title=Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power |author2=Michael Symons |date=June 5, 2012 |publisher=Macmillan |isbn=978-1-250-03126-6 |page=54}}</ref> In 2009, Christie identified himself as anti-abortion,<ref name="HuffPost">{{cite news |last=Bohrer |first=John R. |date=June 24, 2009 |title=Another Leading Republican's Values Go Missing |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-bohrer/another-leading-republica_b_220452.html |access-date=July 14, 2009 |newspaper=The Huffington Post}}</ref> but stated that he would not use the governor's office to "force that down people's throats", while still expressing support for banning "partial-birth abortion", parental notification, and a 24-hour waiting period.<ref name="Christie Promises Change" /> He does support legal access to abortion in cases of rape, incest, or if the woman's life is in danger.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barbaro |first=Michael |date=February 4, 2016 |title=Chris Christie Faults Marco Rubio's Abortion Position, and Misrepresents It |url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/02/04/chris-christie-faults-marco-rubios-abortion-position-and-misrepresents-it/ |access-date=July 16, 2018 |work=First Draft}}</ref>

In 2014, campaigning in Alabama for incumbent governor Robert Bentley, Christie stated that he was the first "pro-life governor" elected in New Jersey since ''Roe v. Wade'' in 1973.<ref name="Christie in Alabama">{{cite news |last=Killough |first=Ashley |date=August 13, 2014 |title=Christie touts conservative chops in Alabama |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/08/13/christie-touts-conservative-chops-in-alabama |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814104214/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/08/13/christie-touts-conservative-chops-in-alabama/ |archive-date=August 14, 2014 |access-date=August 13, 2014 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> He also stated that he had vetoed funding for Planned Parenthood five times as governor.<ref name="Christie in Alabama" /> In March 2015, Christie joined other potential 2016 Republican presidential candidates in endorsing a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.<ref>''[https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/30/chris-christie-endorses-20-week-abortion-new-jersey Chris Christie endorses 20-week abortion ban: 'I am proud to be a pro-life Republican']'' Sabrina Siddiqui, ''The Guardian'', March 30, 2015.</ref>

Christie stated in 2023 that he believed that abortion should be a state-by-state issue, and that he would oppose a federal ban on abortion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 7, 2023 |title=Chris Christie: On the issues |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/meetthepressblog/chris-christie-issues-rcna88149 |access-date=August 23, 2023 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>

==== Child marriage ==== In 2017, Christie conditionally vetoed a proposed bill that would have made New Jersey the first state in the Union to completely ban child marriages, arguing that "the severe bar this bill creates is not necessary to address the concerns voiced by the bill's proponents and does not comport with the sensibilities and, in some cases, the religious customs, of the people of this state."<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Friedman |first=Matt |date=May 11, 2017 |title=Ban on child marriages conditionally vetoed by Christie |url=https://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2017/05/11/ban-on-child-marriages-conditionally-vetoed-by-christie-111987 |access-date=October 28, 2024 |work=Politico}}</ref> Instead, he suggested a complete ban on marriage for everyone under the age of 16 and judicial approval for those aged 16 and 17.<ref name=":1" /> At that time, New Jersey permitted people aged 16 and 17 to marry with parental consent and judicial approval, assuming there was "clear and convincing evidence that granting the license would be in the best interest and welfare of the minor."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thoet |first=Alison |date=June 6, 2017 |title=Activists in N.J. push to ban child marriage before Christie leaves office |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/activists-in-n-j-push-to-ban-child-marriage-before-christie-leaves-office |access-date=October 28, 2024 |work=PBS News Hour}}</ref> After Christie left office in 2018, New Jersey became the second state in the Union to prohibit marriage for everyone under the age of majority (after Delaware), when the new governor, Phil Murphy, signed the bill into law.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 22, 2018 |title=New Jersey governor signs law banning underage marriage |url=https://apnews.com/article/f4ab94a0b9444a01b803750491220983 |publisher=Associated Press}}</ref>

==== LGBT rights ==== As governor, Christie opposed same-sex marriage but voiced support for New Jersey's civil union law, which extended to gay couples the same legal benefits of marriage with regard to state law.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/02/chris-christie-becoming-democrats-favorite-republican/317945/|title=Chris Christie Is Becoming Democrats' Favorite Republican|last=Reeve|first=Elspeth|date=February 26, 2013|work=The Atlantic|access-date=July 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2013/08/19/nj-governor-chris-christie-signs-ban-on-gay-conversion-therapy/|title=NJ governor Chris Christie signs ban on gay conversion therapy|date=August 19, 2013|work=The Mercury News|access-date=July 16, 2018}}</ref> Christie indicated in 2009 that he would veto any bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the state,<ref name="Christie Promises Change" /> saying, "I also believe marriage should be exclusively between one man and one woman.... If a bill legalizing same sex marriage came to my desk as Governor, I would veto it."<ref name="HuffPost" /> On February 17, 2012, Christie vetoed a bill that would have legalized same-sex marriage in New Jersey. The bill passed by wide but not veto-proof margins in both houses of the legislature. Christie instead proposed that the issue be presented to the voters in a statewide ballot referendum.<ref>{{cite news |author=Kate Zernike |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/18/nyregion/christie-vetoes-gay-marriage-bill.html |title=Christie Vetoes Gay Marriage Bill |date=February 17, 2012 |access-date=March 30, 2014}}</ref>

The issue was rendered moot shortly thereafter by a state court decision, in which the judge stated New Jersey was "... violating the mandate of ''Lewis v. Harris'' and the New Jersey Constitution's equal protection guarantee". The Christie administration responded by asking the state supreme court to grant a stay of the decision pending appeal, which was denied on October 18, 2013, in a 7–0 decision of the court which stated that it could "find no public interest in depriving a group of New Jersey residents of their constitutional right to equal protection while the appeals process unfolds".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/NJ_Supreme_Court_declines_to_issue_stay_in_gay_marriage_ruling.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021113014/http://www.northjersey.com/news/NJ_Supreme_Court_declines_to_issue_stay_in_gay_marriage_ruling.html |archive-date=October 21, 2013 |title=NJ Supreme Court won't delay gay marriage|newspaper=The Record|date=October 18, 2013|access-date=October 22, 2013}}</ref> Three days later Christie withdrew the state's appeal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2013/10/21/christie-drops-appeal-of-gay-marriage-ruling/|title=Christie drops appeal of gay marriage ruling|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=October 21, 2013|access-date=October 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Koenig|first=Bryan|title=Christie drops challenge to same-sex marriages|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/10/21/christie-drops-challenge-to-same-sex-marriages/?hpt=po_c2|publisher=CNN|date=October 21, 2013|access-date=October 21, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021202624/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/10/21/christie-drops-challenge-to-same-sex-marriages/?hpt=po_c2 |archive-date=October 21, 2013}}</ref>

Christie believes that homosexuality is innate, having said, "If someone is born that way, it's very difficult to say then that that's a sin."<ref>{{cite news |last=Young |first=Elise |author2=Sherman, Stacy |title=Christie Says Gayness Inborn as He Signs Therapy Measure |newspaper=Bloomberg|date=August 19, 2013 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-08-19/christie-says-gayness-inborn-as-he-signs-therapy-measure.html |access-date=May 28, 2014}}</ref> On August 19, 2013, Christie signed a bill outlawing gay conversion therapy for children, making New Jersey the second state to institute such a law.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chris Christie to sign New Jersey ban on gay conversion therapy|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/08/chris-christie-gay-conversion-therapy-new-jersey-95666.html|work=Politico|access-date=August 19, 2013}}</ref> The law was challenged in the courts, with Christie, in his official capacity as governor, named an appellee.<ref>{{cite news |title=NJ couple sues Christie over gay 'therapy' ban |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/nj-couple-sues-christie-gay-therapy-ban-article-1.1507000 |website=New York Daily News |agency=Associated Press |date=November 5, 2013 |access-date=September 8, 2021}}</ref> In September 2014, a panel of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the law, saying it did not violate free speech or religious rights.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Johnatan|first1=Stempel|title=New Jersey ban on 'gay conversion therapy' is upheld|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-gaytherapy-newjersey-idUSL1N0RC1C520140911|publisher=Reuters|date=September 11, 2014 |access-date=September 13, 2014}}</ref> After announcing his candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential primaries, Christie's campaign said that the former governor currently "respects same-sex marriage and considers it legally settled."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Arnsdorf |first1=Isaac |last2=Dawsey |first2=Josh |last3=Knowles |first3=Hannah |date=July 2, 2023 |title=Republican opposition to LGBTQ rights erupts in backlash to Pride Month |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/06/30/republicans-pride-month-lgbtq/ |access-date=July 4, 2023 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

During his 2024 campaign, Christie stated in a CNN interview that he opposes Republican-proposed bans on gender affirming care for minors, stating, "Folks who are under the age of 18 should have parental support and guidance and love as they make all of the key decisions of their life, and this should not be one that's excluded by the government in any way." During a Fox News interview, Christie stood by his position and criticized Arkansas's ban in particular, saying, "It's more of a parent's decision than a governor's decision for goodness sakes ... You really think that [Arkansas governor] Sarah Huckabee Sanders should be making this decision for children in Arkansas?"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Migdon |first=Brooke |date=June 23, 2023 |title=Christie knocks transgender health care bans on campaign trail: 'It's more of a parent's decision' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4065197-christie-knocks-transgender-health-care-bans-on-campaign-trail/ |access-date=August 23, 2023 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Christie comes out against transgender health care bans |date=June 18, 2023 |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2023/06/18/christie-comes-out-against-transgender-health-care-bans.cnn |access-date=August 23, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

==== Marijuana legalization ==== Christie opposes legalizing the recreational use of marijuana,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fearnow |first1=Benjamin |title=Christie Slams Marijuana Legalization & Colorado: 'Never, As Long As I'm Governor' |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/christie-rejects-marijuana-legalization-never-as-long-as-im-governor/ |access-date=January 5, 2023 |work=CBS Colorado |date=April 22, 2014}}</ref> believing it to be a "gateway drug" and that tax revenue from the sale of it is "blood money".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Livio |first1=Susan K. |title=Tax revenue from legal pot would be 'blood money,' Christie says |url=https://www.nj.com/politics/2016/11/legal_pot_tax_revenue_would_be_blood_money_christi.html |access-date=January 5, 2023 |work=NJ Advance Media |date=November 22, 2016}}</ref><ref name="politico marijuana">{{cite news |last1=Hutchins |first1=Ryan |title=Christie: 'Crazy liberals' want to 'poison our kids' with marijuana |url=https://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2017/05/01/christie-crazy-liberals-want-to-poison-our-kids-with-marijuana-111695 |access-date=January 5, 2023 |work=Politico|date=May 1, 2017}}</ref> Christie said that if elected president he would "crack down" and enforce federal law in states that have legalized cannabis.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ferner |first1=Matt |title=Chris Christie: 'I Will Crack Down And Not Permit' Legal Marijuana As President |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/chris-christie-marijuana_n_7066636 |access-date=January 5, 2023 |work=HuffPost|date=April 14, 2015}}</ref> In 2013, Christie signed a bill to more easily allow the use of medical cannabis by children in New Jersey.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Livio |first1=Susan K. |title=Christie signs law easing medical marijuana restrictions for N.J. kids |url=https://www.nj.com/politics/2013/09/christie_signs_law_easing_medical_marijuana_restrictions_for_nj_kids.html |access-date=January 5, 2023 |work=NJ Advance Media |date=September 11, 2013}}</ref> He opposed other efforts to expand the state's medical cannabis program during his governorship, however.<ref name="politico marijuana" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Michelle Ye Hee |title=Chris Christie's claim that he 'supported and implemented' New Jersey's medical marijuana laws |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2015/09/23/chris-christies-claim-that-he-supported-and-implemented-new-jersey-medical-marijuana-laws/ |access-date=January 5, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 23, 2015}}</ref> In 2018, Christie changed his position of the federal enforcement of marijuana laws, stating that while he still personally opposes legalization, he believes the states have the right to legalize it.<ref>{{Citation |title=Kyle Questions Chris Christie's Anti-Marijuana Stance | date=October 21, 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKcMAmSPwb8 |access-date=August 23, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

==== Vaccination ==== Christie responded to calls by President Barack Obama to prevent the spread of measles by saying that parents should have a choice.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://onpolitics.usatoday.com/2015/02/02/chris-christie-vaccinations-measles-obama/ |title=Christie urges government to find 'balance' on vaccines for kids |last1=Camia |first1=Catalina |date=February 2, 2015 |work=USA Today |access-date=February 2, 2015}}</ref> The governor's office said that he "believes vaccines are an important public health protection and with a disease like measles there is no question kids should be vaccinated",<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/02/politics/chris-christie-vaccines/ |title=Chris Christie sidesteps vaccine science |last1=Collinson |first1=Stephen |date=February 3, 2015 |website=CNN|access-date=February 3, 2015}}</ref> but that he was unaware of a free national program to provide new parents with a vaccine checklist.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/04/chris-christie-new-jersey-vaccine-program |title=Christie stays out of vaccine greeting card program embraced by 2016 rivals |last1=Swaine |first1=Jon |date=February 8, 2015 |work=The Guardian|access-date=February 8, 2015}}</ref>

=== Gun control === In December 2010, Christie commuted the seven-year sentence of Brian Aitken, who had been convicted of transporting three guns within the state; as a result, Aitken was released from prison.<ref>{{cite news |last=Megerian |first=Chris |title=Gun owner Brian Aitken is released from prison after Gov. Christie commutes sentence |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=December 21, 2010 |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/12/gun_owner_brian_aitken_is_rele.html |access-date=May 24, 2014}}</ref>

Christie has said that each state has the right to determine firearms laws without federal interference.<ref>{{cite news |last=Portnoy |first=Jenna |title=Gov. Christie says N.J. has enough gun laws, smacks down 'grandstanding' |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=July 23, 2012 |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/07/christie_says_nj_has_enough_gu.html |access-date=May 24, 2014 |quote='I believe that each state should have the right to make firearms laws as they see fit,' Christie said during the campaign. 'I don't believe it's right for the federal government to get into the middle of this and decide firearms laws for the people of the state of New Jersey.'}}</ref> When announcing his candidacy in 2009 he said he supported aggressive enforcement of the state's current gun laws.<ref name="Christie Promises Change" /> In 2013, he chose not to defend a legal challenge to a New Jersey law requiring individuals to prove an urgent threat of violence before getting permits to carry handguns.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rizzo |first=Slavadpr |title=N.J. handgun law heads to state's top court |work=The Star-Ledger |date=August 2, 2013 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/08/nj_handgun_law_heads_to_states_top_court.html |access-date=May 24, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Rizzo |first=Salvador |title=Christie voices support for N.J. handgun law, but sidesteps legal battles |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=January 2, 2014 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/01/christie_not_defending_nj_gun_law_in_states_highest_court.html |access-date=May 24, 2014}}</ref> In July 2014, Christie vetoed legislation that would have reduced the allowed legal size of ammunition magazines. Instead he re-wrote it, proposing a new standard for involuntary commitment of people who are not necessarily deemed dangerous "but whose mental illness, if untreated, could deteriorate to the point of harm" as well as other forms of involuntary mental health treatments.<ref>{{cite news |last=Perlman/ |first=William |title=Christie vetoes gun control bill to reduce size of ammunition magazines |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=July 2, 2014 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/07/christie_vetoes_gun-contol_bill_to_reduce_size_of_ammunition_magazines.html |access-date=June 28, 2014}}</ref> Christie had previously vetoed proposed legislation that would bar the state pension fund from investing in companies that manufacture or sell assault firearms for civilian use and a bill to prohibit the sale of .50-caliber rifles to civilians.<ref>{{cite news |last=Friedman |first=Matt |title=New gun bill scorecard: Track New Jersey's gun legislation |newspaper=The Star-Ledger|date=July 3, 2014 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/07/new_gun_bill_scorecard_track_new_jerseys_gun_legislation.html |access-date=July 5, 2014}}</ref> In July 2015, Christie vetoed a bill passed by the Assembly, 74–0 (six abstentions), and the Senate by a 38–0 (two abstentions) which would require anyone seeking to have their mental health records expunged to purchase a firearm to notify the State Police, their county prosecutor and their local police department when petitioning the court.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/08/christie_vetoes_gun_bill.html|title=Christie vetoes gun bill supported by N.J. Republicans & Democrats|work=The Star-Ledger|date=August 11, 2015}}</ref> In October 2015, the New Jersey Senate voted to override Christie's veto.<ref>{{cite news |last=McGeehan |first=Patrick |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/23/nyregion/new-jersey-senate-overrides-christies-veto-of-gun-control-bill.html |title=New Jersey Senate Overrides Christie's Veto of Gun Control Bill |work=The New York Times |date=October 22, 2015 |access-date=November 2, 2015}}</ref>

In January 2018, during his final days as Governor of New Jersey, Christie signed legislation making bump stocks illegal in the state.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/01/nj_bans_gun_device_used_in_las_vegas_shooting_afte.html|title=N.J. bans gun device used in Las Vegas shooting after Christie signs bill|first=NJ Advance Media for|last=NJ.com|website=NJ.com|date=January 15, 2018|access-date=December 21, 2018}}</ref>

=== Transportation === Christie has raised tolls and fares ("user fees") on the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, Hudson River crossings and NJ Transit buses and trains during his administration to fund projects throughout the state.<ref name="Port Auth shuffle">{{cite news |last=Boburg |first=Shawn |title=Christie's toll-money shuffle: Port Authority funds paying for repairs to state roads |newspaper=The Record |date=March 30, 2014 |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/christie-s-toll-money-shuffle-port-authority-funds-paying-for-repairs-to-state-roads-video-1.836409 |access-date=March 22, 2014}}</ref> In 2014, Christie authorized the increase of numerous other fees charged by the state for various licensing and administrative fees.<ref>{{cite news |last=Seidman |first=Amdres |title=Christie: 'Fees,' fixes are not taxes. Adjustments the governor's budget proposes are similar to what he attacked Buono for in the 2013 campaign. |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=April 14, 2014 |url=http://articles.philly.com/2014-04-14/news/49100976_1_sales-tax-christie-tax-increases |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525213718/http://articles.philly.com/2014-04-14/news/49100976_1_sales-tax-christie-tax-increases |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 25, 2014 |access-date=May 8, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Isherwood |first=Daryl |title=Christie administration proposes 23 fee increases with new budget |work=The Star-Ledger |date=May 7, 2014 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/05/increases_in_23_fees_proposed_with_new_budget.html |access-date=May 8, 2014}}</ref>

In 2010, Christie cancelled the Access to the Region's Core project, which would have constructed two new tunnels under the Hudson River and a new terminal station in New York City for NJ Transit commuter trains. Christopher O. Ward advocated for the tunnel on behalf of the Port Authority.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Young|first1=Elise|title=Christie Endorses Tunnel Four Years After Killing Project|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-01-06/christie-endorses-tunnel-four-years-after-killing-project |work=BloombergBusiness |date=January 6, 2015 |access-date=June 27, 2015}}</ref> Christie cited escalating costs and possible further overruns as the reason for his decision.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Arco|first1=Matt|title=Looking back: Chris Christie's reasons for scrapping ARC tunnel|url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/10/looking_back_chris_christies_reasons_for_scrapping_arc_tunnel.html |work=The Star-Ledger |date=October 2, 2014 |access-date=June 27, 2015}}</ref> Proponents of the project said it would have created 6,000 construction jobs per year and 45,000 secondary jobs once complete.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Frassinelli|first1=Mike|title=Gov. Christie cancels ARC tunnel for second time|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/10/gov_christie_cancels_arc_tunne.html |work=The Star-Ledger |date=October 27, 2010 |access-date=June 29, 2015}}</ref> After the cancellation, New Jersey had to return $95 million to the federal government, and used $1.8 billion of Port Authority of New York and New Jersey money from the project budget to pay for repairs to the Pulaski Skyway, since the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund that should fund such maintenance was effectively bankrupt.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Resnikoff|first1=Ned|title=Christie's other traffic jam|url=https://www.msnbc.com/all-7|access-date=June 27, 2015|publisher=MSNBC|date=January 26, 2014|archive-date=June 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629182849/http://www.msnbc.com/all-7|url-status=dead}}</ref> The termination of the project made the need for increased rail capacity under the Hudson River more urgent, and shortly thereafter, in 2011, Amtrak's Gateway Project was unveiled, which began construction in 2023.<ref name="gateway-construction-begins">{{cite news |last=Brosnan |first=Erica |title=Gateway Tunnel project work begins as $3.8B in new funding is announced |url=https://ny1.com/nyc/manhattan/news/2023/11/03/gateway-tunnel-project-work-begins-amid--3-8b-in-new-funding |date=November 3, 2023}}</ref>

==== Fort Lee lane closure ==== {{Main|Fort Lee lane closure scandal}}

[[File:GW Bridge.jpg|thumb|left|George Washington Bridge over the Hudson River, looking west from Manhattan to Fort Lee and the Palisades]]

From September 9 through September 13, 2013, two of the three traffic lanes in Fort Lee normally open to access the George Washington Bridge and New York City were closed on orders from a senior Christie aide and a Christie administration appointee. The lane closures in the morning rush hour resulted in massive traffic back-ups on the local streets for five days.<ref name="therecord-emails1814">{{cite news|last=Boburg|first=Shawn|title=Christie stuck in a jam over GWB lane closings|url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/christie_kelly_bridge_lane_closures_emails.html|newspaper=The Record|date=January 8, 2014}}</ref><ref name="csm-kelly11014">{{cite news|last=Delli Santi|first=Angela|title=Bridget Anne Kelly, fired Christie aide, was on team from the start|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2014/0110/Bridget-Anne-Kelly-fired-Christie-aide-was-on-team-from-the-start|newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor|date=January 10, 2014}}</ref>

One common theory as to why the lanes were closed is that it was political retribution against Democratic Fort Lee mayor Mark Sokolich for not supporting Christie in the 2013 gubernatorial election.<ref name="Zernike">{{cite news|first=Kate|last=Zernike|author-link=Kate Zernike|title=Christie Faces Scandal on Traffic Jam Aides Ordered|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/09/nyregion/christie-aide-tied-to-bridge-lane-closings.html|work=The New York Times|date=January 8, 2014|access-date=January 9, 2014}}</ref><ref name="bridge real estate">{{cite news|last=Strunsky|first=Steve|title=New subpoenas could go out today in GWB lane closure scandal probe|url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/01/gwb_subpoenas_motives_christie_wisniewski.html|work=The Star-Ledger |location=Newark, NJ |date=January 13, 2014}}</ref> Another possible motive involves a major real estate development project, which was a top priority for Sokolich, that was under way at the Fort Lee bridge access point.<ref name="bridge real estate" /><ref name="competing theories">{{cite news |last1=Dopp |first1=Terrence |title=Christie bridge jam inquiry to probe $1 billion projects |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-16/fort-lee-development-will-be-examined-in-lawmakers-bridge-probe.html|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|date=January 16, 2014|last2=Voreacos |first2=David |last3=Jones |first3=Tim |name-list-style=amp}}</ref>

Several of Christie's appointees and aides resigned, and Christie fired others, as investigations into the closures intensified.<ref name="Updated timeline">{{cite news |last=Baxter |first=Christopher |title=Updated: Timeline of Port Authority's George Washington Bridge controversy |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/03/timeline_of_the_port_authoritys_george_washington_bridge_lane_closure_controversy.html|work=The Star-Ledger|location=Newark, NJ |date=March 11, 2014|access-date=January 29, 2014}}</ref><ref name="samson blasting">{{cite news|last=Strunsky|first=Steve|title=Chris Christie bridge scandal: documents show Port Authority chairman blasting executive director|url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/01/bridge_scandal_documents_port_authority_chairman_blasts_executive_director.html|work=The Star-Ledger |location=Newark, NJ |date=March 11, 2014}}</ref> In a radio interview on February 3, 2014, Christie indicated that he "unequivocally" had no knowledge of, did not approve, and did not authorize plans to close the toll lanes, and stated that he first found out about the traffic jams from a story in ''The Wall Street Journal'' after the lanes had been reopened.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Walshe |first1=Shushannah|last2=Margolin|first2=Josh|name-list-style=amp |title=Chris Christie Says He 'Unequivocally' Had No Knowledge of Lane Closure |date=February 3, 2014 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2014/02/chris-christie-says-he-unequivocally-had-no-knowledge-of-lane-closure/|publisher=ABC News|access-date=March 21, 2014}}</ref> In an interview on ABC, Christie reiterated that he was shocked by the actions of his former aides, stating that "Sometimes, people do inexplicably stupid things."<ref>{{cite news|title=UPDATE 6-NJ governor's internal investigation clears him in 'Bridgegate' |publisher=Reuters|date=March 27, 2014 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-politics-christie-idUSL1N0MO12Y20140327|access-date=March 27, 2014}}</ref>

In the midst of the scandal, Christie's approval ratings declined. He maintained 50–53 percent approval for five months after the scandal,<ref>{{cite news|first=Melissa|last=Hayes|url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/politics/Christies_favorablility_rating_drops_after_GWB_controversy_poll_finds.html?page=all|title=Christie's favorable rating drops after GWB controversy, poll finds|work=The Record|location=Woodland Park, NJ|date=January 22, 2014|access-date=January 24, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Edwards-Levy|first=Ariel|title=Chris Christie's Approval Rating Continues To Fall In New Jersey|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/24/chris-christie-approval-rating_n_4848193.html|work=The Huffington Post|date=February 24, 2014|access-date=February 24, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Chris Christie's approval rating stabilizes|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chris-christies-approval-rating-stabilizes/|publisher=CBS News|date=April 2, 2014|access-date=July 13, 2023}}</ref> before his ratings fell into the 40s by the latter half of 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2014/08/poll-chris-christie-approval-ratings-109799|title=Christie net approval lowest since '11|first=Jonathan|last=Topaz|work=Politico|date=August 7, 2014|access-date=November 17, 2020}}</ref>

Other investigations were conducted by the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, the New Jersey Legislature, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. On September 18, 2014, WNBC reported that unnamed federal sources said the US attorney investigation had found no evidence that Christie had prior knowledge of or directed the closures.<ref name="Otis-2014-09-18">{{cite news|last=Otis|first=Ginger Adams|title=Justice Department finds no evidence NJ Gov. Chris Christie knew of Bridgegate closures in advance: report |newspaper=Daily News|location=New York|date=September 18, 2014 |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/justice-dept-finds-evidence-gov-christie-knew-bridgegate-advance-article-1.1944980|access-date=October 23, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Dienst-2014-09-19">{{cite news|last1=Dienst|first1=Jonathan|last2=Valiquette|first2=Joe |last3=Williams |first3=Pete|title=After 9 Months, Federal Probe of GWB Closure Finds No Link to Christie, Federal Sources Say |publisher=NBC News (New York)|date=September 19, 2014|url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/investigations/chris-christie-bridgegate-federal-probe-george-washington-bridge-closures-gwb-275661911.html|access-date=September 19, 2014}}</ref> An interim report by the NJ legislative committee investigating the closures was released in December 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Jersey Select Committee on Investigation Report: Interim Report to the New Jersey Legislature Regarding the September 2013 Closure of George Washington Bridge Access Lanes in Fort Lee, New Jersey |publisher=New Jersey Legislature |url=http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislativepub/lsi_report.asp |access-date=December 8, 2014 |archive-date=December 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216080832/http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislativepub/lsi_report.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref> The committee had been unable to determine if Christie had advance knowledge since it was asked by the US attorney to postpone interviewing certain key witnesses.<ref>{{cite news |last=Strunsky |first=Steve |title=Christie bridge scandal report cannot determine if governor was involved |work=The Star-Ledger |date=December 4, 2014 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/12/christie_bridgegate_report_released_george_washington_bridge_new_jersey.html |access-date=December 5, 2014}}</ref> At a press conference on May 1, 2015, U.S. attorney Paul J. Fishman stated that, based upon the evidence that was available, his office would not bring any more charges in the case.<ref>Seidman, Andrew. [https://web.archive.org/web/20150915021536/http://articles.philly.com/2015-05-19/news/62328652_1_u-s-attorney-chris-christie-paul-fishman "Paul Fishman, U.S. attorney for New Jersey, offers no wider opinion on Bridgegate"], ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'' (May 19, 2015).</ref> However, in September 2016, federal prosecutors in a trial of two New Jersey government officials over their involvement in "Bridgegate" said that a defendant and a witness boasted about their actions to the governor at the time, confirming what Donald Trump had said in December 2015 while opposing Christie for the Republican nomination for the 2016 presidential election.<ref name="fall"/>

On October 13, 2016, a complaint of official misconduct that alleges that the governor knew of the closures of access lanes while they were ongoing but failed to act to reopen them was allowed to proceed.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/10/christie_official_misconduct_investigation_fraught.html|title=Bridgegate misconduct complaint against Christie: What happens next?|date=October 14, 2016|access-date=July 4, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/14/nyregion/chris-christie-summons-bridgegate-case.html|title=Misconduct Complaint Against Christie Has Merit, Judge Finds|first=Eli|last=Rosenberg|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 13, 2016|access-date=July 4, 2017}}</ref> In response to the complaint filed by a local citizen, Bergen County Municipal Presiding Judge Roy McGeady said "I'm satisfied that there's probable cause to believe that an event of official misconduct was caused by Governor Christie. I'm going to issue the summons."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2016/10/judge_rules_christie_could_be_charged_with_officia.html|title=Bridgegate misconduct complaint against Christie can move forward|date=October 13, 2016|access-date=July 4, 2017}}</ref> In response, Brian Murray, Christie's press secretary, accused Judge McGeady of "violating the law, pure and simple."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/chris-christie-bill-brennan-probable-cause-misconduct-george-washington-bridge-lane-closure-scandal-judge-rule-citizen-complaint/393805/ | title=Judge Defies Bergen Prosecutor, Finds Probable Cause for Christie Misconduct Case to Go Forward | date=February 16, 2017 }}</ref> The Superior Court overruled the probable cause decision and sent the case back to Judge McGeady,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/28/politics/chris-christie-bridgegate/|title = Chris Christie won't be charged in 'Bridgegate'| date=January 28, 2017 }}</ref> and although the Superior Court did not toss the complaint, requested by Christie's counsel, the court ruled that Judge McGeady's decision not to allow Christie's lawyers to participate in the original hearing (argue or cross-examine) was made "erroneously".<ref>{{Cite news|date=January 27, 2017|title=Prosecutors will not pursue Bridgegate charges against New Jersey governor|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-new-jersey-bridgegate-idUSKBN15B2J7|access-date=October 13, 2021}}</ref> In January 2017, Bergen County prosecutors said they would not seek criminal charges against Christie in connection with the scandal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Prosecutors will not pursue Bridgegate charges against New Jersey governor|publisher=Reuters|date=January 27, 2017|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-new-jersey-bridgegate-idUSKBN15B2J7|access-date=January 28, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Woolsey|first1=Anne|last2=Almasy|first2=Steve|title=Chris Christie won't be charged in 'Bridgegate'|publisher=CNN|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/28/politics/chris-christie-bridgegate/|access-date=January 28, 2017}}</ref>

On November 4, 2016, a federal jury convicted former top Christie aides Bill Baroni and Bridget Anne Kelly of all charges.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Joseph Ax |date=November 4, 2016 |title=Former Christie allies convicted in N.J. 'Bridgegate' trial |publisher=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-new-jersey-bridgegate-idUSKBN12Z216|access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author1=Dominique Debucquoy-Dodley|author2=Tom Kludt |title=Bridgegate case verdict: Former officials guilty on all counts|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/04/politics/bridgegate-case-verdict-reached/|publisher=CNN|date=November 4, 2016|access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref> In March 2017, Baroni was sentenced to two years in prison and Kelly to 18 months in prison.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Ex-Christie-aides-to-be-sentenced-in-New-Jersey-11035021.php |title=2 former Christie aides get prison for bridge revenge plot |access-date=March 29, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329212808/http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Ex-Christie-aides-to-be-sentenced-in-New-Jersey-11035021.php |archive-date=March 29, 2017 }}</ref> The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the convictions on May 7, 2020.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nj.com/politics/2020/05/us-supreme-court-throws-out-bridgegate-convictions-6-years-after-an-epic-traffic-jam.html |title=U.S. Supreme Court throws out Bridgegate convictions, 6 years after an epic traffic jam |date=May 7, 2020 |access-date=April 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225003837/https://www.nj.com/politics/2020/05/us-supreme-court-throws-out-bridgegate-convictions-6-years-after-an-epic-traffic-jam.html|archive-date=February 25, 2021}}</ref>

=== Response to Hurricane Sandy === {{See also|Governorship_of_Chris_Christie#Hoboken_Sandy_relief_funds_investigation|l1=Hoboken Sandy relief funds investigation}}[[File:Chris Christie On Post-Sandy Obama Meet- 'I Would Do It Again' - Morning Joe - MSNBC.webm|thumb|right|200px|Chris Christie On Post-Sandy Obama Meet- 'I Would Do It Again' video from MSNBC in 2017 in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey]] On December 28, 2012, the U.S. Senate approved $60.4 billion disaster relief package for Hurricane Sandy, which damaged New Jersey and other states.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Doug Palmer |author2=David Lawder |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-congress-sandy-amendment-idUSBRE8BR0N120121229|publisher=Reuters|title=Senate approves $60.4 billion Superstorm Sandy aid bill|date=December 29, 2012 }}</ref> The House did not vote until the next session on January 3. On January 2, Christie criticized the delay as "selfishness and duplicity" and blamed house speaker John Boehner and the rest of the House Republican leadership.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/chris-christie-calls-disgusting-boehners-decision-yank-sandy/story?id=18114029|title=Chris Christie Calls 'Disgusting' Boehner's Decision to Yank Sandy Funds|work=ABC News|date=January 2, 2013|access-date=October 8, 2013|first=Russell|last=Goldman}}</ref> A bill for relief was passed in the House on January 15.<ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Firestone |url=http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/16/sandy-and-the-hastert-rule/?|title=Sandy and the Hastert Rule|work=The New York Times|date=January 16, 2013|access-date=October 8, 2013}}</ref>

In 2014, the U.S. Department of Justice opened an inquiry into allegations that Christie made state grants of Hurricane Sandy relief funds to New Jersey cities conditional on support for other projects.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/us-attorney-inquiry-christie-widens|title=US attorney inquiry into Christie widens|author=Steve Kornacki|publisher=MSNBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |work=MSNBC |date=September 24, 2014 |title=Investigations Around Christie Administration Continue |url=https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/investigations-around-christie-administration-continue-msna418226 |first=Brian |last=Murphy}}</ref>

=== Official visit to the Middle East === Continuing the tradition of earlier New Jersey governors since the 1980s, Christie traveled to Israel in April 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Christie and Israel |work=The Record|location=Woodland Park, NJ|date=April 1, 2012 |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/145465355_Christie_and_Israel.html|access-date=April 2, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Haddon|first=Heather|title=Christie Takes Trade Mission to Jerusalem |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=April 1, 2012 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303816504577318000362267114|access-date=April 2, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Portnoy |first=Jenna |title=Visit to Jerusalem puts Christie on world stage |work=The Star-Ledger |date=April 1, 2012 |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/04/visit_to_jerusalem_puts_christ.html|access-date=April 2, 2012}}</ref> During the visit, which included meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres, Christie commented that "Jerusalem has never been better or freer than under Israeli control."<ref>{{cite news |last=Portnoy |first=Jenna |title=Gov. Christie: Israeli control is best for proper worship at holy sites |newspaper=New Jersey On-Line |date=April 4, 2012 |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/04/gov_christie_israeli_control_i.html|access-date=April 7, 2012 }}</ref> Christie took a helicopter tour of the West Bank and cautioned against Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank, Jerusalem or the Golan Heights.<ref>[http://forward.com/articles/154927/christie-takes-hawkish-line-on-occupation "Christie Takes Hawkish Line on Occupation"]. ''The Forward''. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. April 17, 2012.</ref> The official title given to the trip was "Jersey to Jerusalem Trade Mission: Economic Growth, Diplomacy, Observance".<ref>{{cite news |title=Christie, family going to Israel, Jordan on trade mission |newspaper=Asbury Park Press |date=March 29, 2012 |url=http://www.app.com/article/20120328/NJNEWS10/303280115|access-date=April 2, 2012}}</ref> The visit to Israel was Christie's first official overseas trip since taking office.<ref>{{cite news|title=Christie's trip to Israel gets under way |publisher=WPVI-TV|date=April 2, 2012|agency=Associated Press|location=Philadelphia |url=https://6abc.com/archive/8604333/|access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726141926/http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news%2Fpolitics&id=8604333|archive-date=July 26, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> From Israel, Christie continued with his family to Jordan, as guests of King Abdullah II.<ref>{{cite news|last=Reitmeyer|first=John|title=Christie keeps a lower profile on Jordan trip |website=NorthJersey.com|date=April 7, 2012 |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/christiejordan040712.html|access-date=April 7, 2012}}</ref>

=== Out of state travel === Christie was absent from New Jersey at various points during his governorship.<ref name="Haddon"/><ref>{{cite news|first=Alexandfer|last=Burns|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/23/nyregion/in-word-and-deed-christies-ambitions-shrink-at-home-amid-white-house-bid.html|title=Chris Christie and His Ambitions: A New Jersey Vanishing Act|date=January 23, 2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 10, 2016}}</ref> Christie was criticized for a December 2010 vacation to Disney World with his family, while a major blizzard damaged parts of New Jersey. At the same time, Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno was vacationing in Mexico, leaving Stephen Sweeney to serve as acting governor during the crisis.<ref name="vacation">{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/12/31/christie.vacation.snow/index.html |title=NJ governor dismisses criticism of storm response|website=CNN|date=December 31, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Alyah|last=Shahid|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/new-jersey-governor-chris-christie-slammed-disney-vacation-state-buried-snowstorm-article-1.475091|title=New Jersey governor Chris Christie slammed for Disney vacation as state is buried in snowstorm|newspaper=New York Daily News|date=December 28, 2010}}</ref> In a response, Christie said the vacation was a long-held promise to his children, and that he had constantly been updated about the storm by officials.<ref name="vacation"/>

In 2015, while campaigning for president, Christie was absent from New Jersey for 261 days.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Matt |last1=Arco|first2=Brent|last2=Johnson|url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/01/see_how_much_time_christie_spent_out_of_nj_in_2015.html|title=How much of 2015 did Christie spend in New Jersey?|work=The Star-Ledger|date=January 5, 2016|access-date=February 10, 2016}}</ref> Amid the January 2016 United States blizzard, Christie stayed only briefly in New Jersey for 36 hours, before heading off to New Hampshire.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/01/26/chris-christie-apologizes-to-one-critic-but-only-one/?_r=0January|title=Chris Christie Apologizes to One Critic — but Only One|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 26, 2016 |access-date=February 24, 2016}}</ref> When asked why he was campaigning in New Hampshire when parts of the Jersey Shore were flooded in sea water Christie said: "What do you want me to do, go down there with a mop?"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/01/christies_big_mouth_disgusts_even_this_high-level_goper_opinion.html |title=Christie's big mouth disgusts even this high-level GOPer | Opinion |website=NJ.com |date=January 27, 2016 |access-date=February 24, 2016}}</ref>

Official records showed 190 full days and 71 partial days that Christie spent out of state in 2015 costed taxpayers about $614,000, and the final quarter, when Christie spent 32 days out of state campaigning for the presidency, cost $193,890.<ref>{{cite web|first=Dustin|last=Rapioci|date=March 11, 2016|url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2016/03/11/christies-travel-last-year-cost-taxpayers-over-600000/94543660/|title=Christie's Travel Last Year Cost Taxpayers over $600,000|website=NorthJersey.com|accessdate=July 1, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/16/03/08/christie-says-nj-on-hook-for-security-detail-even-when-he-s-stumping-for-trump/|title=Christie Says NJ on Hook for Security Detail, Even When He's Stumping for Trump|website=NJ Spotlight|date=March 9, 2016|access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref> The bills totaled cost $492,420 in 2014, $220,355 in 2013; $248,277 in 2012; $129,842 in 2011 and $64,975 in 2010, which did not include the cost of overtime for the State Police troopers in EPU, which according to state regulations is confidential.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/03/christies_security_costs_break_records_in_2015.html|title=N.J. taxpayers paid record amount for Christie's security during presidential run|website=The Star-Ledger|date=March 14, 2016|access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref> A lawsuit which claimed that Christie "inappropriately forced New Jersey taxpayers to cover the cost of the governor's security and other key expenses while pursuing the presidency" was dismissed.<ref>{{cite news |last = Arco |first = Matt |title = Judge tosses lawsuit to force Christie to repay N.J. for campaign security costs |newspaper = The Star-Ledger |date = April 8, 2016 |url = http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/04/lawsuit_against_christie_over_security_spending_to.html |access-date = April 9, 2016}}</ref>

=== Island Beach State Park incident === thumb|Christie and his family at Island Beach State Park during a state government shutdown In July 2017 during a budget shutdown and partial closing of state government services and facilities, the governor and his family were photographed from an airplane vacationing at Island Beach State Park alone on the beach. The beach was closed to the public as a result of the shutdown, and Christie commuted to the beach from Trenton via state helicopter while his family was staying at the official governor's residence there. His spokesman said that he didn't "get any sun" because he was wearing a baseball cap at the time of the photo.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nj.com/politics/2017/07/christie_pictured_at_island_beach_state_park_durin.html|title=PHOTOS: Christie, family soak up sun on N.J. beach he closed to public|first=Andrew|last=Mills|date=July 3, 2017|website=nj.com}}</ref> When asked in an interview about people being upset that he was at the beach when they were unable to visit the beach, Christie responded, "I'm sorry they're not the governor".<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Alana|last=Abramson|url=https://time.com/4843720/chris-christie-beach-new-jersey-shutdown/|title='I'm Sorry They're Not the Governor.' Christie Defends Beach Trip|magazine=Time|date=July 3, 2017}}</ref>

=== Open records battles === During his administration's eight years, the governor's office spent more than $1 million fighting New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. On his way out, the governor, in an official letter to the State Archives, dictated how his office's records be handled. This came to light in May 2018, as the State Archives' release of electronic records relating to business by Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, were denied by his personal lawyer; Kushner's real estate company received $33 million in state tax breaks.<ref name="Christie limits State Archives records release">{{cite web |last1=Perez |first1=Andrew |title=Chris Christie blocks release of his office's emails with Jared Kushner's company |date=May 25, 2018 |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/40577859/chris-christie-blocks-release-of-his-offices-emails-with-jared-kushners-company |website=Fast Company |access-date=May 31, 2018}}</ref> Open records experts challenged Christie's "disturbing" actions.<ref name="May 2018 The Hill open records blocked">{{cite news |last1=Bowden |first1=John |title=Christie blocks release of correspondence with Kushner Companies |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/389415-christie-lawyer-blocking-release-of-correspondence-with-kushner/ |website=The Hill|date=May 25, 2018 |access-date=May 31, 2018}}</ref>

=== End of tenure === Christie was term limited from running for a third term in the 2017 New Jersey gubernatorial election. His lieutenant governor, Kim Guadagno, ran in the election to replace him, but lost to the Democratic Party's nominee, former ambassador Phil Murphy.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/11/murphy_beats_guadagno_new_jersey_governor_election_race_polls.html|title=Phil Murphy beats Kim Guadagno to succeed Christie as N.J. governor|website=Nj.com|access-date=November 8, 2017}}</ref>

By most estimates, his approval ratings when leaving office were as low as 15 percent,<ref>Dustin Racioppi (October 23, 2017). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/courier-post-deciding-time-nears-for-ele/135207343/ Deciding time nears for election]. ''Courier-Post''</ref> a drastic decline from his peak approval rating, 77 percent, in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2013/10/29/how-superstorm-sandy-became-chris-christies-defining-moment/|title=How Superstorm Sandy became Chris Christie's defining moment|first=Sean|last=Sullivan|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=October 29, 2013|access-date=November 17, 2020}}</ref> When referring to his low poll numbers, Christie said he did not care because he was not running for office.<ref>Ryan Hutchins, [https://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2017/06/20/christie-on-15-approval-rating-i-dont-care-112922 Christie on 15 percent approval rating: 'I don't care'], ''Politico'' (June 20, 2017).</ref> Christie left office on January 16, 2018.

== Republican Governors Association == [[File:Chris Christie & Doug Ducey by Gage Skidmore.jpg|right|thumb|Governor Chris Christie campaigning with Arizona gubernatorial candidate Doug Ducey in 2014]] In November 2013, Christie was elected chairman of the Republican Governors Association, succeeding Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 21, 2013 |first=Vincent |last=Bzdek |title=Christie takes reins of Republican Governors Association |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/11/21/christie-takes-reins-of-republican-governors-association/ |access-date=May 2, 2014}}</ref> Christie campaigned extensively on behalf of Republican governors running for re-election.<ref>{{cite news |title=Could strong fundraising be Chris Christie's road to redemption? |publisher=CBS News|date=April 30, 2014 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/could-strong-fundraising-be-chris-christies-road-to-redemption/ |access-date=May 2, 2014}}</ref> In the first three months of 2014, the RGA raised a record sum for the first quarter of a mid-term election year, and almost doubled the amount raised by the Democratic Governors Association during the same period.<ref>{{cite news |last=Conroy |first=Scott |title=Could strong fundraising be Chris Christie's road to redemption? |date=April 30, 2014 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/could-strong-fundraising-be-chris-christies-road-to-redemption/|publisher=CBS News|access-date=May 6, 2014}}</ref>

Christie presided over net gains in Republican governorships in the 2014 elections, including for Republican gubernatorial candidates in three largely Democratic states: Bruce Rauner in Illinois, Larry Hogan in Maryland and Charlie Baker in Massachusetts.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2014/11/chris-christie-2014-election-results-112580|title=Elections 2014: Chris Christie takes a victory lap |work=Politico}}</ref>

== Presidential politics == ===2012 presidential election=== left|thumb|Chris Christie speaking at the Conservative Political Action ConferenceThere was ongoing speculation that Christie would attempt a run for President of the United States in 2012 by competing in the Republican primaries. In September 2011, a number of press stories cited unnamed sources indicating Christie was reconsidering his decision to stay out of the race. An Associated Press story dated September 30 indicated a decision on whether he would run for president in 2012 would be made "soon".<ref>{{Cite news |title=AP Sources: Christie Soon to Decide on Primary Run |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/apnewsbreak-christie-decide-2012-bid-14643134 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20160208055545/http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Election |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 8, 2016 |date=September 30, 2011 |first=Beth |last=DeFalco |work=ABC News |agency=Associated Press |access-date=October 1, 2011}}</ref> In a late September speech at the Reagan Library, he had again said he was not a candidate for president, but the speech also coincided with his "reconsideration" of the negative decision. The Koch brothers (David H. Koch and Charles G. Koch), Kenneth Langone, and retired General Electric CEO Jack Welch expressed support for a potential Christie candidacy.<ref name="Marketwatch billionarires choice">Delamaide, Darrell (September 28, 2011), [http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-billionaires-choice-christie-for-president-2011-09-28 "The billionaire's choice: Christie for president"], MarketWatch. Retrieved September 28, 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/11921 "Update on the 2012 Republican Presidential Candidates"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003055830/http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/11921 |date=October 3, 2011 }}. ''Charlie Rose''. September 29, 2011. Interview with Republican consultant Matthew Dowd, Welch, and reporter Nia-Malika Henderson. Retrieved October 4, 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/11923 "Kenneth Langone"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006183340/http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/11923 |date=October 6, 2011 }}, ''Charlie Rose'', October 4, 2011. Retrieved October 6, 2011.</ref> In October 2011, Christie said that he had reconsidered his decision but had again decided not to run for president,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Christie will not run for President|url=http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2011/10/04/8145647-christie-will-not-run-for-president|first=Michael|last=O'Brien|date=October 4, 2011 |publisher=MSNBC|access-date=October 4, 2011}}</ref><ref>[http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Chris-Christie-Not-Running-President-Decision-Announcement-Timeline-131057388.html "A Timeline of Christie and the 2012 Decision"], New York: WNBC. October 4, 2011. Retrieved October 4, 2011.</ref> stating at a press conference: "New Jersey, whether you like it or not, you're stuck with me."<ref>Memmott, Mark, [https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/10/04/141045337/will-christie-be-shermanesque "N.J. Gov. Christie Says No To Run For GOP Presidential Nomination"]. NPR. October 4, 2011. Retrieved October 4, 2011.</ref> Christie endorsed Mitt Romney for president a few days later.<ref name="Fox endorse">{{cite news|title=Christie Endorses Romney Ahead of GOP Debate|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/christie-endorses-romney-ahead-of-gop-debate/ |publisher=Fox News |date=October 11, 2011 |access-date=October 14, 2011}}</ref>

Political commentators debated whether Christie's weight would or should affect his viability as a 2012 presidential candidate, either for medical or social reasons.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-campaign-christie-obesity-idUSTRE7911YH20111002|title=Obesity debate rages on talk of Christie White House bid|publisher=Reuters|date=October 2, 2011}}</ref> The Obesity Society, a nonprofit scientific group, released a statement asserting, "To suggest that Governor Christie's body weight discounts and discredits his ability to be an effective political candidate is inappropriate, unjust, and wrong."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/health/la-xpm-2011-oct-03-la-heb-christie-obesity-society-statement-20111003-story.html|title=The Obesity Society defends Chris Christie|work=Los Angeles Times|date=October 3, 2011|first=Jeannine|last=Stein}}</ref>

The ''New York Post'' has cited anonymous sources as saying Christie was not willing to give up the governorship to be Romney's running mate because he had doubts about their ability to win. The Romney campaign was reported to have asked him to resign his governorship if he became the vice-presidential nominee because "pay to play" laws restrict campaign contributions from financial corporation executives to governors running for federal office when the companies do business with the governor's state.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Margolin|last2=DeFalco|first1=Josh|first2=Beth|title=Christie chose NJ over Mitt's VP role due to fears that they'd lose|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/christie_had_veeping_doubts_b1gkN5io8CtDgcuiuEgMqL |newspaper=New York Post|date=August 27, 2012 |access-date=August 27, 2012}}</ref> A memo from the campaign attributed Romney's decision not to choose Christie as his running mate, in part, to unanswered questions during the vetting process regarding a defamation lawsuit following Christie's initial campaign for Morris County Freeholder, a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation of Christie's brother, as well as his weight.<ref name="WaPo 2013-10-31">{{cite news|first1=Sean |last1=Sullivan |first2=Philip |last2=Rucker |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obamas-advisers-considered-replacing-biden-with-clinton-according-to-book/2013/10/31/2f8bbf10-4285-11e3-8b74-d89d714ca4dd_story.html |title=Obama's advisers considered replacing Biden with Clinton, according to book |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 31, 2013 |access-date=November 1, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Friedman |first=Matt |title=Book: Romney didn't pick Christie for veep partly due to background 'land mines' |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=October 31, 2013 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/10/book_says_romney_did_not_pick_christie_partly_because_of_unanswered_questions.html |access-date=May 2, 2014}}</ref>

[[File:President Barack Obama Tours Storm Damage in New Jersey 7.jpg|right|thumb|President Barack Obama and Governor Chris Christie talk with local residents in Brigantine, New Jersey.]] Christie gave the keynote address at the Republican National Convention in August 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last=Shear|first=Michael D.|title=Christie to Be G.O.P. Convention Keynote Speaker |newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 14, 2012 |url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/14/christie-to-be-g-o-p-convention-keynote-speaker|access-date=August 14, 2012}}</ref> On October 30, 2012, during a press conference to discuss the impact of Hurricane Sandy, Christie praised the disaster relief efforts of President Barack Obama.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2012/10/31/christie-obama-hurricane-sandy-new-jersey/1671787/ ''Obama, Christie laud 'working relationship' on storm''] by David Jackson (''USA Today'', October 31, 2012).</ref><ref>[https://nationalpost.com/news/the-race-resumes-obama-buoyed-by-christie-praise-as-romney-tempers-attacks ''The race resumes: Obama buoyed by Christie praise as Romney tempers attacks''] (''National Post'', November 1, 2012).</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Jason|last=Horowitz |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/decision2012/gov-chris-christie-an-obama-critic-praises-the-president-amid-nj-storm-damage/2012/10/31/5cda4454-2397-11e2-ac85-e669876c6a24_story.html|title=Gov. Chris Christie, an Obama critic, praises the president amid N.J. storm damage|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=October 31, 2012|access-date=November 1, 2012}}</ref>

Christie stated he still supported Mitt Romney and was opposed to many of Obama's policies, but thought Obama deserved credit for his help in the disaster relief in New Jersey.<ref>{{cite news |first=Rachel |last=Weiner |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2012/11/06/chris-christie-i-didnt-snub-mitt-romney|title=Chris Christie: I didn't snub Mitt Romney|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=November 6, 2012|access-date=December 1, 2012}}</ref> Christie faced significant backlash before and after the election from conservative Republicans who accused him of acting to bolster his own personal political standing at the expense of Romney and the party.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/11/the-chris-christie-backlash-machine-revs-into-high-gear/264910|title=The Chris Christie Backlash Machine Revs Into High Gear|work=The Atlantic|date=November 7, 2012|access-date=March 3, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Brett LoGiurato|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/chris-christie-obama-sandy-new-jersey-damage-conservatives-drudge-2012-10|title=Chris Christie, Obama Sandy Tour Causes Conservative Backlash|website=Business Insider |date=October 31, 2012|access-date=March 3, 2013}}</ref> [[File:Chris Christie by Gage Skidmore (1) (cropped).jpg|right|thumb|Governor Chris Christie speaking at the 2014 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland]] In the aftermath of the election, Christie maintained his national profile and continued to clash with conservatives in his party by strongly criticizing House Speaker John Boehner regarding aid for Hurricane Sandy<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/christie-republicans-slam-boehner-for-delay-on-hurricane-sandy-relief-measure/2013/01/02/5d22454c-54f7-11e2-8b9e-dd8773594efc_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116182853/http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-01-02/politics/36211763_1_cliff-vote-toxic-internal-politics-boehner-four-times|url-status=live|archive-date=January 16, 2013|title=Christie, Republicans slam Boehner for delay on Hurricane Sandy relief measure|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 2, 2013|access-date=January 23, 2013|first=Nia-Malika|last=Henderson}}</ref> and then the National Rifle Association for their ad that mentioned President Obama's children.<ref>{{cite news |first=Michael|last=Muskal |url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-xpm-2013-jan-18-la-na-nn-chris-christie-lashes-out-nra-ad-20130118-story.html|title=Chris Christie rips NRA's anti-Obama ad; Rand Paul rips Christie|work=Los Angeles Times|date=January 18, 2013|access-date=January 23, 2013}}</ref> Christie was subsequently not invited to speak at the 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), which is largely seen as a stepping-stone for Republicans running for president. The CPAC chair explained that Christie was not invited "for decisions that he made", but that "hopefully next year he's back on the right track and being a conservative."<ref>{{cite news|first=Aliyah|last=Frumin|url=http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/03/14/cpac-chair-chris-christie-didnt-deserve-to-be-here|title=CPAC Chair: Chris Christie 'didn't deserve' to be here|publisher=MSNBC|date=March 14, 2013|access-date=July 27, 2013}}</ref>

===2016 presidential election=== {{Main|Chris Christie 2016 presidential campaign}} In January 2015, Christie took his first formal step towards a presidential candidacy by forming a political action committee (PAC)<ref>{{cite news |author=Colvin, Jill |url=https://news.yahoo.com/jerseys-christie-launches-political-action-committee-054618123--election.html|title=New Jersey's Christie launches political action committee|publisher=Yahoo! News|agency=Associated Press|date=January 25, 2015|access-date=January 25, 2015}}</ref> in order to raise funds and prepare for a likely 2016 presidential bid.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/3682018/chris-christie-2016-presidential-election-white-house-republican-pac/ |title=Chris Christie Launches PAC in Preparation for 2016 Presidential Run |magazine=Time |date=January 26, 2015 |access-date=January 26, 2015 |author=Miller, Zeke J.}}</ref> On June 27, 2015, Christie launched his presidential campaign website. He formally announced his candidacy on June 30, 2015.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/2016-elections/chris-christie-launches-campaign-site-three-days-before-his-announcement-20150627|title=Chris Christie Launches Campaign Website Three Days Before His Announcement|work=nationaljournal.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chrischristie.com|title=Chris Christie for President|author=Chris Christie|website=chrischristie.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Desiderio |first1=Adam |title=Chris Christie Announces 2016 Presidential Campaign |publisher=ABC News |date=June 30, 2015 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/chris-christie-announces-2016-presidential-campaign/story?id=32125633|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref><ref name="cnn._Chri">{{Cite news |title=Chris Christie launches 2016 presidential bid from New Jersey |last=Moody |first=Chris |publisher=CNN|date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=June 30, 2015 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/30/politics/chris-christie-2016-presidential-campaign/index.html}}</ref>

Christie dropped out of the race on February 10, 2016, after the New Hampshire primary following a poor showing and low poll numbers. He received 7.4% of the overall vote in the New Hampshire primary.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/they%20would-way/2016/02/10/466207006/chris-Christies-drops-out-of-republican-race-for-president|title=Chris Christie drops out of Republican race for President |publisher=NPR|date=February 10, 2016 |access-date=February 10, 2016}}</ref> [[File:Christie 2016 RNC (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Christie speaking at the 2016 Republican National Convention]] Despite having criticized Donald Trump prior to leaving the race,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/christie-past-comments-trump|title=What Chris Christie Said About Donald Trump BEFORE The Endorsement|last=Macneal|first=Caitlin|website=Talking Points Memo|date=February 26, 2016|access-date=March 2, 2016}}</ref> he endorsed Trump on February 26, 2016.<ref name="NYT_Trump">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/02/26/chris-christie-endorses-donald-trump/? |title=Chris Christie Endorses Donald Trump |last=Haberman |first=Maggie |date=February 26, 2016 |website=The New York Times|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> On May 9, 2016, Trump named Christie to head a transition team in the event of a Trump presidency.<ref name="BermanTransition">{{cite magazine |last1=Berman |first1=Russell |title=Chris Christie Will Start Planning the Trump Administration |magazine=The Atlantic |date=May 9, 2016 |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/05/chris-christie-will-start-planning-the-trump-administration/481896/ |access-date=May 9, 2016}}</ref> He soon emerged as a major power with the Trump campaign.<ref name="BurnsPowerful">{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=Alexander |title=Chris Christie Becomes Powerful Figure in Donald Trump Campaign |newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 30, 2016 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/01/us/politics/chris-christie-donald-trump.html|access-date=July 3, 2016}}</ref>

Trump considered Christie as a potential vice-presidential running mate, and he was on the shortlist alongside former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Indiana Governor Mike Pence.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://fortune.com/2016/07/13/donald-trump-vp-list-names/|title=Donald Trump's Vice President List Is Down to 3 Names|agency=Associated Press|website=Fortune|access-date=July 4, 2017}}</ref><ref name="NBC News VP Pick">{{cite news |last=O'Donnell|first=Kelly|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/team-trump-plans-public-event-friday-vp-pick-n608161|title=Team Trump Plans Public Event Friday With VP Pick|publisher=NBC News|date=July 12, 2016|access-date=July 12, 2016}}</ref> Trump passed over Christie and selected Pence.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Burns|first1=Alexander|last2=Haberman|first2=Maggie |last3=Kaplan|first3=Thomas|title=Donald Trump Selects Mike Pence, Indiana Governor, as Running Mate |work=The New York Times|date=July 15, 2016 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/16/us/politics/mike-pence-donald-trump-vice-president.html|access-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref> The subject's transition list for likely candidates for Trump's National Security Adviser did not include Michael Flynn, but rather, Peter Pace and William H. McRaven.<ref>Bergen, Peter. (2019). Trump and his generals: the cost of chaos. New York:Penguin Press. {{ISBN|9780525522416}}. p. 46.</ref> [[File:Rand Paul, Chris Christie, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush & John Kasich (24107554833).jpg|right|thumb|260px|Chris Christie (second to the left) at the final Republican Party presidential debate before the 2016 Iowa caucuses]] In September 2016, Christie acknowledged that the Fort Lee lane closure scandal, also known as Bridgegate, was a factor in his being denied the nomination. Trump had said earlier that Christie knew about the closures, which Christie denies.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/09/christie_says_hes_sure_bridgegate_partly_why_trump.html|title=Christie: Bridgegate's 'a factor' why I'm not Trump's VP|date=September 15, 2016|access-date=July 4, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/09/trump_sticks_by_christie_amid_new_bridgegate_claim.html|title=Trump sticks by Christie amid new Bridgegate claim, report says|date=September 20, 2016|access-date=July 4, 2017}}</ref> Following the release of Trump's tape-recorded comments on an ''Access Hollywood'' bus, Christie called Trump's comments "completely indefensible", but also added "I don't think it's the only way you should make a judgment."<ref>{{cite news |last=Marans|first=Daniel|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/chris-christie-leaked-trump-comments-not-immaterial_us_57fce510e4b068ecb5e1a175|title=Chris Christie: Leaked Trump Comments Not 'Immaterial' In Deciding Whether To Vote For Him|work=The Huffington Post|date=October 11, 2016|access-date=October 18, 2016}}</ref>

After calls for his impeachment as governor and felony convictions in U.S. federal court of high-ranking members of his staff in the Bridgegate scandal, Christie was dropped by Trump as leader of the transition team, in favor of Pence.<ref name="Christie dropped">{{Cite news |author=David Smith |date=November 11, 2016 |title=Chris Christie dropped as head of Trump's White House transition team |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/11/chris-christie-dropped-trump-transition-team |access-date=November 12, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Pence to take over">{{Cite news |author1=Michael D. Shear |author2=Michael S. Schmidt |author3=Maggie Habermann |title=Vice President-Elect Pence to Take Over Trump Transition Effort |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/12/us/politics/trump-cabinet.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 11, 2016|access-date=November 12, 2016}}</ref> On the same day, Christie's close associates Richard Bagger and Bill Palatucci were both removed by Trump from the transition team.<ref name="Christie dropped" /><ref name="Pence to take over" /><ref name="Pence replaces christie">{{Cite news |author1=Robert Costa |author2=Philip Rucker |author3=Elise Viebeck |date=November 11, 2016 |title=Pence replaces Christie as leader of Trump transition effort |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/11/11/pence-to-lead-trump-transition-effort/|access-date=November 12, 2016}}</ref> Former Congressman Mike Rogers, a national security expert on the Trump transition team, was additionally another close associate of Chris Christie who was also removed a few days after Christie's departure.<ref name="Mike Rogers Leaves">{{Cite news |date=November 15, 2016 |author1=Damian Paletta |author2=Carol E. Lee |title=Intelligence Expert Mike Rogers Leaves Trump Transition Team Amid Shake-up - Former House Intelligence Committee Chairman seen as Chris Christie ally; Ben Carson turns down cabinet post |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/intelligence-expert-mike-rogers-leaves-trump-transition-team-amid-shake-up-1479221847|access-date=November 15, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Trump Shakeup">{{Cite news |date=November 15, 2016|author1=Ken Dilanian |author2=Alexandra Jaffe |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/trump-transition-shake-part-stalinesque-purge-christie-loyalists-n684081|title=Trump Transition Shake-Up Part of 'Stalinesque Purge' of Christie Loyalists|publisher=NBC News|access-date=November 15, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author=Jennifer Jacobs |date=November 15, 2016 |title=Ex-Intelligence Chairman Rogers Leaves Trump Transition Team |work=Bloomberg Politics |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-11-15/ex-intelligence-chairman-rogers-said-to-leave-trump-transition |access-date=November 15, 2016}}</ref>

Christie was considered for a role in the Trump administration,<ref>{{cite news |date=November 2016|url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/11/breaking_christie_in_strong_contention_for_both_se.html|title=Christie in contention for energy, homeland security secretary posts, source says|access-date=July 4, 2017}}</ref> but said he would serve out his term as governor, which ended in January 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/11/christie_on_possible_trump_job_i_am_completing_my.html|title=Christie on possible Trump job: 'I'm completing my term'|date=November 29, 2016|access-date=July 4, 2017}}</ref> On December 11, it was reported that Christie turned down offers to become Secretary of Homeland Security and Secretary of Veterans Affairs, because he wanted to be Attorney General.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/12/christie_turned_down_job_in_trump_white_house_repo.html|title=Christie turned down several jobs in Trump administration, sources say|date=December 11, 2016|access-date=July 4, 2017}}</ref> In February 2017 ''Politico'' reported that Christie was offered the role of Secretary of Labor but evidently turned it down.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/320754-christie-turned-down-labor-secretary-job-report/|title=Christie turned down Labor secretary job: report|date=February 22, 2017|access-date=July 16, 2017}}</ref> An 18-page report outlining questions and possible concerns about Christie joining the administration<ref>{{cite web |url=https://graphics.axios.com/docs/white-house-vetting-docs/Chris%20Christie%20Backgrounder.pdf#_ga=2.77755030.325351028.1561386548-1651235829.1510789278 |title=Chris Christie Vetting Report Background (General/Career) |website=graphics.axios.com |access-date=August 2, 2021}}</ref> was released in June 2019.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nj.com/politics/2019/06/so-what-worried-trump-team-about-christie-well-there-was-bridgegate-guns-and-kushner-and-even-his-driving-record.html|title=So what worried Trump team about Christie? Well, Bridgegate. Guns and Kushner. And even his driving record ...|first=Matt|last=Arco|date=June 25, 2019|website=nj.com}}</ref>

===2020 presidential election=== In 2020, Christie offered to help Trump win re-election. One of his roles was helping the president to prepare for his first debate with challenger Joe Biden on September 29, 2020. He visited the White House repeatedly during the four days preceding the debate. He said the prep sessions involved five or six people in total, none of whom wore facial coverings despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. He added that he tested negative for the virus each time he entered the White House and saw no-one exhibiting symptoms.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/10/02/chris-christie-no-masks-at-debate-prep-before-trump-positive-covid-test/5892760002/|title='No one was wearing masks' during debate prep, Chris Christie says after president contracts coronavirus|last=Cummings|first=William|date=October 2, 2020|work=USA Today|access-date=October 9, 2020}}</ref> On October 3 he tested positive and was hospitalized, calling it a precautionary measure.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/03/chris-christie-tests-positive-for-coronavirus.html|title=Chris Christie tests positive for coronavirus, checks into hospital as precautionary measure|last=Newburger|first=Emma|date=October 3, 2020|publisher=CNBC|access-date=October 9, 2020}}</ref> He was released from the hospital on October 10.<ref name="released">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chris-christie-released-hospital-testing-positive-covid-19-morristown-medical-center/|title=Former NJ Governor Chris Christie Released From Hospital After Positive COVID Test|date=October 10, 2020|publisher=CBS News|access-date=October 11, 2020}}</ref>

Following the election, Christie refused to support Trump's false claims of a stolen election.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Terruso |first1=Julia |title=Former N.J. Gov. Chris Christie to run for president as Trump critic |url=https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2023/06/former-nj-governor-chris-christie-to-run-for-president-as-trump-critic.html |access-date=June 2, 2023 |work=PennLive Patriot-News |agency=Tribune News Service |date=June 1, 2023}}</ref> On election night, Christie spoke with one of Trump's sons and later texted Eric Trump asking for proof of their claims of election fraud. When they could not provide any evidence, Christie said he would thus not support their claims.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Duster |first1=Chandelis |title=Chris Christie says 2020 election lies were his 'red line' with Trump |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/22/politics/chris-christie-donald-trump-axe-files/index.html |access-date=June 2, 2023 |work=CNN|date=November 22, 2021}}</ref> During the January 6 Capitol attack, Christie phoned Trump to tell the president to call for an end to the violence, but Trump did not pick up.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Allen |first1=Mike |title=Inside Chris Christie's breakup with Trump |url=https://www.axios.com/2021/11/15/chris-christie-trump-january-6 |access-date=June 2, 2023 |work=Axios|date=November 15, 2021}}</ref> Following the attack, Christie blamed Trump for January 6 and voiced support for Trump's impeachment.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bowden |first1=John |title=Chris Christie says Capitol attack was 'incited by Donald Trump' to 'overturn the election' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/chris-christie-riot-donald-trump-b2008821.html |access-date=June 2, 2023 |work=The Independent|date=February 7, 2022}}</ref>

===2024 presidential election=== {{main|Chris Christie 2024 presidential campaign}} In December 2020, Christie told radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt that he was considering running for president in 2024 even if Trump decided to run (who at this point Christie still aligned with).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nypost.com/2020/12/22/chris-christie-considering-2024-run-would-challenge-trump/|title=Chris Christie considering a presidential run in 2024|date=December 22, 2020|publisher=New York Post|access-date=April 1, 2023}}</ref> In October 2022, Christie appeared on ''Real Time with Bill Maher'', where he responded "sure" when asked if he was open to a potential 2024 presidential bid.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/chris-christie-reveals-he-is-considering-2024-bid/ar-AA12JRMd|title=Chris Christie reveals he is considering 2024 bid|date=October 8, 2022|first=Asher |last=Notheis| publisher=Washington Examiner|access-date=April 1, 2023}}</ref> On March 16, 2023, Christie announced that he would decide if he was running for president within 45 to 60 days.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3903108-christie-says-hell-decide-on-white-house-bid-in-45-to-60-days/|title=Christie says he'll decide on White House bid in 45 to 60 days|date=March 16, 2023|first=Lauren |last=Sforza |work=The Hill|access-date=April 1, 2023}}</ref> During this time, Christie voiced his criticism of Florida governor and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis and his feud with The Walt Disney Company, claiming that the conflict showed DeSantis' lack of conservative values.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/18/us/politics/chris-christie-desantis-2024.html|title=Chris Christie, Eyeing '24 Run, Takes Shots at DeSantis|date=April 18, 2023|first=Maggie |last=Haberman |work=The New York Times|access-date=June 1, 2023}}</ref> Christie visited New Hampshire in late March, claiming that he wanted to see if he was ready to "get into the battle".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/2024-watch-chris-christie-trying-to-figure-out-if-there-s-a-pathway-to-beating-trump-desantis/ar-AA195ugh|title=2024 Watch: Chris Christie 'trying to figure out' if there's a pathway to beating Trump, DeSantis|date=March 26, 2023|first=Paul |last=Steinhauser |website=Fox News|access-date=April 1, 2023}}</ref>[[File:Chris Christie Flag Room Young Student Center Keene State College Blake Street Keene NH December 2023 21.jpg|left|thumb|Christie speaking at Keene State College in December 2023]]On May 31, 2023, Axios reported that Chris Christie was planning to announce his presidential campaign in the coming days.<ref name=":2024"/> On June 6, Christie filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to run for president, announcing his bid later that day at an event in Manchester, New Hampshire.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Concepcion |first=Summer |date=June 6, 2023 |title=Chris Christie jumps into the 2024 GOP presidential race |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/chris-christie-jumps-2024-gop-presidential-race-rcna82721 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606212046/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/chris-christie-jumps-2024-gop-presidential-race-rcna82721 |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |access-date=June 6, 2023 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ax |first=Joseph |date=June 6, 2023 |title=Christie launches White House campaign, attacks Trump as 'self-serving' |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-backer-turned-critic-chris-christie-make-white-house-run-official-2023-06-06/ |access-date=June 6, 2023 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref>

While campaigning, Christie focused on attacking Trump,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Weiss |first1=Joanna |title=What 'Barbie' Says About the Gender Wars |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/07/21/barbie-has-something-to-say-about-the-post-patriarchy-00107319 |access-date=July 24, 2023 |work=Politico |date=July 21, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Shepard |first1=Steven |title=The 2024 GOP field: How they win, how they lose |url=https://www.politico.com/interactives/2023/republican-candidates-2024-gop-presidential-hopefuls-list/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |work=Politico |date=June 22, 2023}}</ref><ref name=usat>{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=David |title='Loser, loser, loser:' Chris Christie attacks, taunts, and mocks Donald Trump |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/06/12/chris-christie-age-bridgegate-trump-attack/70313231007/ |access-date=June 23, 2023 |work=USA Today |date=June 13, 2023}}</ref> including at his campaign launch, where he called Trump a "lonely, self-consumed, self-serving mirror hog."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Colvin |first1=Jill |last2=Ramer |first2=Holly |title=Christie goes after Trump in presidential campaign launch, calling him a 'self-serving mirror hog' |url=https://apnews.com/article/christie-2024-president-b9949e97e604719c341d652cc62f9d50 |access-date=June 22, 2023 |work=AP News |date=June 7, 2023}}</ref> Christie has also attacked other primary contenders for not criticizing Trump enough and defending Trump with regard to his federal indictment for mishandling classified documents and his conduct leading up to and during the January 6 Capitol attack.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goldenberg |first1=Sally |title=It's not just Trump. Christie's gunning for DeSantis, too. |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/15/trump-christie-desantis-2024-election-00102085 |access-date=June 22, 2023 |work=Politico|date=June 15, 2023}}</ref><ref name=usat /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kashinsky |first1=Lisa |last2=Garrity |first2=Kelly |title=Chris Christie rips Tim Scott in New Hampshire |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/24/chris-christie-rips-tim-scott-in-new-hampshire-00107937 |access-date=July 24, 2023 |work=Politico |date=July 24, 2023}}</ref> In order to participate in the Republican primary debates, Christie was required to sign a loyalty pledge from the Republican National Committee stating he would support the eventual nominee. Christie criticized the pledge, calling it a "useless idea,"<ref name=pledge /> but ultimately signed it in order to debate, citing that Trump himself signed a similar pledge during the 2016 primaries, despite later denouncing it during a debate.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Garrity |first1=Kelly |title=What happens to candidates who walk back on the RNC loyalty pledge? Well… |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/23/rnc-loyalty-pledge-debates-00112392 |access-date=August 24, 2023 |work=Politico |date=August 23, 2023}}</ref> As Trump was the frontrunner for the nomination throughout the primary, whether or not Christie would follow through with the pledge was in question.<ref name=pledge>{{cite news |last1=Concepcion |first1=Summer |title=Chris Christie says RNC loyalty pledge is a 'useless idea' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/chris-christie-says-rnc-loyalty-pledge-useless-idea-rcna89954 |access-date=June 23, 2023 |work=NBC News |date=June 18, 2023}}</ref> [[File:Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with a member of the Republican Party, former Governor of New Jersey Christopher Christie.jpg|thumb|right|Christie with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on August 4, 2023.]] Christie supported increasing military aid to Ukraine, labeling current aid as insufficient to defeat the Russian invasion, and stated that arming Ukraine would deter China from potentially invading Taiwan.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mueller |first1=Julia |title=Christie on Ukraine aid: 'I want them to have every weapon they need to be able to win' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4096838-christie-on-ukraine-aid-i-want-them-to-have-every-weapon-they-need-to-be-able-to-win/ |access-date=August 4, 2023 |work=The Hill |date=July 13, 2023}}</ref> On August 4, 2023, Christie made an unannounced trip to Ukraine, visiting the city of Bucha, the site of a massacre of civilians by Russian forces.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chris Christie makes surprise visit to Ukraine, meets with Zelenskyy |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chris-christie-ukraine-visit-meets-with-zelenskyy/ |access-date=August 4, 2023 |work=CBS News |date=August 4, 2023}}</ref> Later in the day, Christie met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, praising Ukraine's fight against Russia and reiterating his support for arming Ukraine. According to Christie, he and Zelenskyy did not discuss the U.S. presidential race. Christie was the second Republican presidential candidate, after Mike Pence, to visit Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Frazier |first1=Kierra |title=Christie visits Zelenskyy, takes shot at Trump during surprise Ukraine trip |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/04/chris-christie-trump-2024-ukraine-00109841 |access-date=August 4, 2023 |work=Politico |date=August 4, 2023}}</ref> [[File:Chris Christie visit to Israel, November 2023.jpg|thumb|Christie became the only presidential candidate to visit Israel during their Gaza war, on November 12, 2023.]] On November 13, 2023, Christie became the first presidential candidate to visit Israel following the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, where approximately 1,200 people were killed and another 240 were taken hostage. Christie visited Kfar Aza, a kibbutz destroyed by Hamas on October 7, at the invitation of the Israeli Foreign Ministry. He also met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and relatives of the hostages taken by Hamas. Christie voiced support for continuing America support of Israeli military actions against Hamas.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kerr |first1=Nicholas |title=GOP presidential hopeful Chris Christie visits Israel, dismisses calls for cease-fire |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/gop-presidential-hopeful-chris-christie-visits-israel-dismisses/story?id=104844385 |access-date=December 7, 2023 |work=ABC News |date=November 13, 2023}}</ref> During the fourth Republican presidential debate, Christie said that, as president, he would send American troops to help free hostages taken by Hamas.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dress |first1=Brad |title=GOP rivals spar over Israel-Hamas war at 4th debate |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/4346567-gop-rivals-spar-over-israel-hamas-war-at-fourth-debate/ |access-date=December 7, 2023 |work=The Hill |date=December 6, 2023}}</ref> He rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Gaza war.<ref>{{cite news |first=Miranda |last=Nazzarro |title=Christie in Israel says cease-fire calls don't 'make any sense' |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/4306863-christie-israel-cease-fire-calls/ |work=The Hill |date=November 13, 2023}}</ref>

On January 10, 2024, Christie dropped out of the presidential race at a scheduled town hall meeting in Windham.<ref name=ap-2024-dropout/> His campaign had focused on winning the New Hampshire primary, hoping for a subsequent national boost. Christie had been under pressure to dropout after recent polls showed Nikki Haley closing in on Trump in New Hampshire.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Walsh |first1=Kelsey |last2=Kerr |first2=Nicholas |last3=Cathey |first3=Libby |last4=Abdul-Hakim |first4=Gabriella |title=Christie ends presidential campaign, says Nikki Haley is 'gonna get smoked' |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/chris-christie-expected-end-2024-presidential-campaign-sources/story?id=105852479 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=ABC News |date=January 10, 2024}}</ref> During his withdrawal address, Christie stressed his decision was made to prevent vote splitting and ensure Trump did not win the primary. However, Christie was not expected to endorse another candidate, including Haley, who was expected to win the vote of a majority of Christie supporters.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Natasha|last1=Korecki|first2=Emma|last2=Barnett|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/nikki-haley-stands-gain-chris-christies-exit-rcna133253|title=At a critical moment, Nikki Haley stands to gain from Chris Christie's exit|website=NBC News|date=January 10, 2024|accessdate=January 12, 2024}}</ref> He has criticized Haley for not ruling out being Trump's vice presidential pick and was caught on a hot mic saying that she was "going to get smoked" in the primaries.<ref>{{cite web|first=Kimberlee|last=Speakman|url=https://people.com/chris-christie-hot-mic-nikki-haley-ron-desantis-comments-8425256|title=Chris Christie Caught on Hot Mic Saying Nikki Haley Will 'Get Smoked' by Trump: 'She's Not Up for This'|website=People|date=January 11, 2024|accessdate=January 12, 2024}}</ref> Having dropped out just two weeks before the New Hampshire primary, Christie still appeared on the ballot.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Krieg |first1=Gregory |last2=Main |first2=Alison |last3=Chalian |first3=David |last4=Zeleny |first4=Jeff |title=Chris Christie skewers Haley and DeSantis on hot mic before ending 2024 campaign |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/10/politics/chris-christie-ends-presidential-campaign-2024/index.html |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=CNN |date=January 10, 2024}}</ref> Trump would ultimately win the New Hampshire primary, beating Haley by an 11-point margin, closer than originally expected.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zhu |first1=Christine |last2=Priluck |first2=Lara |title='Totally unhinged': Tension grows between Haley and Trump |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/26/totally-unhinged-tension-grows-between-haley-and-trump-00138130 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |work=Politico |date=January 26, 2024}}</ref> Haley would later drop out after the Super Tuesday primaries in March, making Trump the presumptive Republican nominee.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 6, 2024 |title=Nikki Haley suspends her campaign and leaves Donald Trump as the last major Republican candidate |url=https://apnews.com/article/nikki-haley-republican-trump-super-tuesday-losses-95ab56b68a8eefbbf04ef90f2f00ef29 |access-date=April 15, 2024 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

In late March, Christie announced he had declined to run for president under a No Labels ticket. He said he was encouraged to run, but ultimately refused, believing there was not a viable path for a third party to win the election.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pengelly |first=Martin |date=March 28, 2024 |title=Chris Christie won't mount No Labels run in 2024 US presidential election |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/28/chris-christie-not-running-president |access-date=April 15, 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|text="I appreciate the encouragement I've gotten to pursue a third party candidacy. I believe we need a country that once again feels like everyone has a stake in what we're doing and leadership that strives to bring people together, instead of using anger to divide us. While I believe this is a conversation that needs to be had with the American people, I also believe that if there is not a pathway to win and if my candidacy in any way, shape or form would help Donald Trump become president again, then it is not the way forward."|author=Chris Christie|source=via Twitter}}

According to ''The Hill'', Christie said he was willing to lead the ticket on the condition of having a Democratic running mate, but the organization was unable to find a suitable candidate.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fortinsky |first=Sarah |date=April 15, 2024 |title=No Labels was 'this/close' to a Christie-led ticket |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4594977-no-labels-was-this-close-to-a-christie-led-ticket/ |access-date=April 15, 2024 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}</ref> As Christie was one of the final candidates the organization was considering to lead their ticket, No Labels officially abandoned its attempt to run a "unity ticket" on April 4, 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pengelly |first=Martin |date=April 4, 2024 |title=No Labels will not mount third-party 2024 bid after failing to find candidate |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/04/no-labels-drops-out-candidate-presidential-election |access-date=April 15, 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Christie has repeatedly stated he would not vote for Trump "under any circumstances", refusing to endorse him unlike other former primary candidates such as Nikki Haley.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robertson |first=Nick |date=February 8, 2024 |title=Christie on Biden-Trump rematch: 'I'm not voting for Trump under any circumstances' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4456275-christie-biden-trump-2024/ |access-date=April 15, 2024 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Nikki Haley Savagely Dragged Over Her Trump Endorsement |url=https://newrepublic.com/post/181862/nikki-haley-trump-endorsement-vote-election |access-date=May 23, 2024 |magazine=The New Republic |issn=0028-6583}}</ref> Both Haley and Christie continued to receive votes in a Republican primaries in the months after their respective campaign suspensions.<ref>{{Cite web |author=A. O. L. Staff |date=June 5, 2024 |title=Haley, Christie and others take votes away from Trump in New Mexico primary |url=https://www.aol.com/news/haley-christie-others-votes-away-114634497.html |access-date=June 11, 2024 |website=www.aol.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Abia |first=Collins |date=June 12, 2024 |title=Trump Faces Vote-splitting Challenge from Haley and Christie in New Mexico Primary - The Artistree |work=The Artistree |url=https://www.theartistree.fm/journal/367828/trump-faces-vote-splitting-challenge-from-haley-and-christie-in-new-mexico-primary/ |access-date=June 14, 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref> Earlier in 2023, Christie predicted Trump would be convicted in at least one of his trials by spring 2024, and called him unqualified for the presidency.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chris Christie: Trump will be convicted this spring |url=https://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/chris-christie-trump-will-be-convicted-this-spring-198889029806 |access-date=May 23, 2024 |website=MSNBC.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=April 28, 2024 |title=Opinion {{!}} Chris Christie should know better |url=https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/chris-christie-biden-trump-comments-rcna149533 |access-date=May 23, 2024 |website=MSNBC.com |language=en}}</ref> Trump would ultimately be convicted in his New York hush money trial in late May 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Haley, Christie stay quiet on Trump guilty verdict as GOP outrage grows over 'un-American' silence {{!}} Fox News |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/haley-christie-stay-silent-trump-guilty-verdict-gop-uproar-grows-unamerican-silence.amp |access-date=June 11, 2024 |website=Fox News}}</ref> During a February interview with the podcast ''Pod Save America'', he said he would consider voting for Democrat Joe Biden, but that he was "not there yet".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sforza |first=Lauren |date=February 15, 2024 |title=Christie does not rule out voting for Biden, but he's 'not there yet' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4471209-christie-does-not-rule-out-voting-for-biden-not-there-yet/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215232606/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4471209-christie-does-not-rule-out-voting-for-biden-not-there-yet/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 15, 2024 |access-date=April 15, 2024 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}</ref> Later in March, ''Politico'' suggested the Biden campaign contact Christie to support his re-election bid in exchange for a potential ambassadorship.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Jonathan |date=March 29, 2024 |title=Why Hasn't Biden Called Chris Christie? |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/03/29/biden-anti-trump-republicans-00149610 |access-date=April 15, 2024 |website=Politico}}</ref> Speaking with ''Washington Post'' journalist Leigh Ann Caldwell at a forum hosted by the University of Chicago in April, Christie said it was "pretty stupid" that Biden did not reach out to him after he dropped out.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fortinsky |first=Sarah |date=April 24, 2024 |title=Christie says Biden 'stupid' for not reaching out to him |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4618764-christie-biden-2024-campaign-support/ |access-date=May 23, 2024 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}</ref> He also questioned Biden's ability to complete a second term due to his age.<ref name=":0" /> By June, Christie was among several prominent Republicans, including former Vice President Mike Pence and former House Speaker Paul Ryan, who refused to support either candidate in the race.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dovere |first=Edward-Isaac |date=June 6, 2024 |title=Biden makes his play for anti-Trump Republicans he hopes can give him a second term {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/06/politics/biden-anti-trump-republicans/index.html |access-date=June 11, 2024 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

Despite no longer running for office, Christie has remained active in New Jersey state politics. He endorsed State Senator Jon Bramnick in the 2025 gubernatorial election.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 18, 2024 |title=Chris Christie Embraces Former Trump Aide With Mouth Kiss |url=https://www.shorenewsnetwork.com/2024/05/18/chris-christies-man-kiss-with-former-trump-aide-goes-viral/ |access-date=May 23, 2024 |website=www.shorenewsnetwork.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rooney |first=Matt |date=May 17, 2024 |title=VIDEO: Christie, Scaramucci kiss on the mouth |url=https://savejersey.com/2024/05/christie-scaramucci-kiss-bramnick-fundraiser/ |access-date=May 23, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> He began teaching a course titled "How to Run a Political Campaign" at the Jackson School of Global Affairs for the Fall 2024 semester at Yale University in September.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wang |first=Yolanda |date=September 3, 2024 |title=Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie to teach class on political campaigns at Jackson School of Global Affairs |url=https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2024/09/02/former-new-jersey-governor-chris-christie-to-teach-class-on-political-campaigns-at-jackson-school-of-global-affairs/ |access-date=September 4, 2024 |website=Yale Daily News |language=en}}</ref><ref name="ABC News">{{Cite news |title=Former NJ Gov. Chris Christie will teach a course on running for office at Yale |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/former-new-jersey-gov-chris-christie-teach-running-113249595 |access-date=September 4, 2024 |work=ABC News |language=en}}</ref>

== Opioid epidemic efforts == [[File:President Trump Hosts an Opioid and Drug Abuse Listening Session.webm|thumb|right|Christie with President Donald Trump during a meeting concerning opioids and drug abuse, March 2017]] In March 2017, Trump picked Christie to chair the Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission, an advisory committee on the opioid epidemic in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jen |last=Christensen |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/29/health/christie-opioid-trump-appointment/index.html |title=Christie will advise Trump panel on opioid addiction |work=CNN |date=March 29, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Katelyn |last=Newman |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2017-06-16/commission-on-combating-drug-addiction-and-opioid-crisis-holds-first-meeting |title=Opioid Commission Holds First Meeting |work=U.S. News & World Report |date=June 16, 2017}}</ref>

Christie said that New Jersey would be spending $500 million on the epidemic, and in his last few months as governor promoted the Reach NJ Campaign,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/17/09/19/governor-commits-extra-200m-to-anti-addiction-programs/|title=Governor Commits Extra $200M to Anti-Addiction Programs - NJ Spotlight|website=njspotlight.com|date=September 20, 2017|access-date=May 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/kellyanne-conway-chosen-to-lead-trumps-opioid-efforts|title=Kellyanne Conway chosen to lead Trump's opioid efforts|date=November 30, 2017|website=The Washington Examiner|access-date=December 21, 2018}}</ref> which included television ads in which he appeared.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2017/03/06/questions-linger-funding-christie-reach-nj-ads-marketing-set-expand/98660002/|title=Questions linger about funding for Christie Reach NJ ads, with marketing set to expand|website=North Jersey|access-date=May 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wbgo.org/post/future-reach-nj-ads-uncertain|title=Future Of 'Reach NJ' Ads Uncertain|first=Phil|last=Gregory|publisher=WBGO |date=January 19, 2018|access-date=May 20, 2019}}</ref>

In May 2019, Santa Monica, California, tech firm WeRecover announced that Christie had joined their team as Senior Advisor on Strategy and Public Policy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.werecover.com/about-us |title=About WeRecover |publisher=WeRecover |access-date=August 9, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Yahoo 2019-05-16">{{cite news |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/governor-chris-christie-joins-werecover-184000042.html|title=Governor Chris Christie Joins WeRecover to Bring Innovation to America's Opioid Crisis|date=May 16, 2019|website=Yahoo! Finance|access-date=May 19, 2019}}</ref> Upon joining Christie said, "As the chairman of the opioid task force, I was honored to shape our federal government's efforts to combat the opioid epidemic. But this isn't a problem government alone can solve. This is the worst epidemic we've ever faced, and we need the kind of innovation that can only come from the private sector. In WeRecover, I've found a team of some of the best and brightest people in tech, fully committed to broadening access to care through data, design and technology."<ref name="Yahoo 2019-05-16" />

==Post-gubernatorial career== [[File:Politicon 2018 (45523718542).jpg|thumb|240px|Christie attending Politicon at the Los Angeles Convention Center, October 2018]] In January 2018, Christie joined ABC News as a regular network contributor, which he continues to be part.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/29/chris-christie-abc-news-375289|title=Source: Chris Christie to join ABC News as contributor|work=Politico|access-date=January 30, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment|title=Entertainment Index|publisher=ABC News|access-date=December 21, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Special Coverage of the 2024 Republican National Convention: See the Schedule {{!}} ABC Updates |url=https://abc.com/news/85a67052-fb07-4430-b3ac-cd79c319ba7e/category/1138628 |access-date=July 16, 2024 |website=ABC |language=en}}</ref> In November 2018, it was reported that he was being considered for the role of United States Attorney General<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/08/politics/chris-christie-pam-bondi-trump-attorney-general/index.html|title=Trump considering Christie, Bondi, Acosta for attorney general|author1=Jeremy Diamond|author2=Sarah Westwood|author3=Jim Acosta|publisher=CNN|access-date=November 9, 2018}}</ref> by the Trump administration, although William Barr was ultimately selected. After meeting with Trump into December 2018, Christie said he did not want to be considered for the job of White House Chief of Staff.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nj.com/politics/2018/12/christie-tells-trump-he-doesnt-want-chief-of-staff-job.html|title=Christie tells Trump he doesn't want chief of staff job|author1=Matt Arco|author2=Brent Johnson |author3=Brent Johnson |website=nj.com|date=December 14, 2018|access-date=December 21, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nj.com/expo/news/erry-2018/12/503a7e33e68771/5-reasons-why-trump-wanted-chr.html|title=5 reasons why Trump wanted Christie to be chief of staff, and 5 reasons why Christie was wise to say no|first1=Matt|last1=Arco |author2=Jonathan D. Salant |date=December 15, 2018 |website=NJ.com |access-date=December 21, 2018}}</ref>

Christie published a book titled ''Let Me Finish'' in January 2019.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/28/books/review-let-me-finish-chris-christie.html|title=Chris Christie's Memoir Praises Trump, but Says, 'I Told You So'|first=Dwight|last=Garner|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 28, 2019|access-date=May 20, 2019}}</ref>

In 2019, Christie became a director of the pharmaceutical firm Pacira Biosciences.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Corasaniti |first1=Nick |last2=Berzon |first2=Alexandra |title=The Business of Being Chris Christie |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/16/us/politics/chris-christie-business.html |access-date=October 16, 2025 |work=The New York Times |date=June 16, 2023}}</ref>

In May 2020, Christie stated that measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States should be lifted for economic reasons. "Of course, everybody wants to save every life they can – but the question is, towards what end, ultimately? ... Are there ways that we can ... thread the middle here to allow that there are going to be deaths, and there are going to be deaths no matter what?"<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/05/christie-says-america-should-reopen-despite-warnings-of-jump-in-coronavirus-deaths.html|title=Christie says U.S. should reopen despite warnings of jump in coronavirus deaths|first=NJ com|last=Staff|date=May 5, 2020|website=nj}}</ref>

In 2018 Christie started a federal lobbying firm called Christie 55 Solutions.<ref name="Chr55">{{cite news |last1=Corasaniti|first1=Nick|last2=Berzon|first2=Alexandra|title=The Business of Being Chris Christie|date=June 16, 2023|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/16/us/politics/chris-christie-business.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=September 17, 2023}}</ref> The firm earned roughly $1.3 million during the COVID-19 pandemic before ceasing its operations in 2021.<ref name="Chr55"/> Christie was paid $240,000 during the pandemic for lobbying on behalf of a Tennessee-based chain of addiction treatment centers and three New Jersey hospital systems seeking federal funding.<ref name="meyercancryn">{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/23/chris-christie-cashes-in-on-coronavirus-lobbying-380640|title=Chris Christie cashes in on coronavirus lobbying|date=July 23, 2020|access-date=July 24, 2020|work=Politico|first1=Theodoric|last1=Meyer|first2=Adam|last2=Cancryn}}</ref>

Christie distanced himself from Donald Trump after the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. In a September 9, 2021, speech at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, Christie implored Republicans to reject their most extreme elements such as QAnon, white supremacists and election fraud conspiracy theorists.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Michael |last1=Warren |first2=David |last2=Wright |date=September 9, 2021 |title=Chris Christie says it is time for GOP to 'face the realities of the 2020 election' |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/09/politics/chris-christie-gop-2020-election-reality/index.html |access-date=September 12, 2021}}</ref>

In March 2021, Christie joined the board of directors of the New York Mets front office.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31095245/former-new-jersey-gov-chris-christie-joins-mets-board-directors|title=Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie joins Mets' board of directors|publisher=ESPN|date=March 19, 2021|access-date=April 1, 2021}}</ref> It was reported in June 2023 that he would remain on the board while running for president.<ref>Martino, Andy (June 5, 2023). [https://sny.tv/articles/chris-christie-remain-mets-board-presidential-race Chris Christie will remain on Mets board of directors if he enters presidential race] ''SNY''.</ref>

On August 24, 2025, Christie appeared on the ABC TV program ''This Week''. Christie criticized President Donald Trump for wanting the Justice Department to act "as his personal legal representation." "Donald Trump sees himself as the person who gets to decide everything, and he doesn't care about any separation," Christie said. "In fact, he absolutely rejects the idea that there should be separation between criminal investigations and the politically elected leader of the United States."<ref name="MSN2025">{{cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/former-nj-governor-chris-christie-criticized-donald-trump-on-tv-trump-responded-by-threatening-to-investigate-him/ar-AA1LbgZP?ocid=TobArticle|title=Former N.J. Gov. Chris Christie criticized Donald Trump on TV. Trump responded by threatening to investigate him.|publisher=msn.com|date=August 25, 2025|last=Palmer|first=Chris|access-date=August 25, 2025}}</ref> In response to Christie's remarks, Trump said on social media that Christie "lied" about the 2013 Bridgegate scandal, suggesting he should be investigated again, saying "perhaps we should start looking at that very serious situation again? NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!". The following day Trump told reporters that he "always felt [Christie] was guilty", but that a decision on whether to open a Justice Department investigation on him was up to Attorney General Pam Bondi. This came despite Trump praising Christie in 2020 after Christie was exonerated on the Bridgegate affair, saying at that time, "Congratulations to former Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, and all others involved, on a complete and total exoneration (with a 9-0 vote by the U.S. Supreme Court) on the Obama DOJ Scam referred to as 'Bridgegate'".<ref name="MSN2025" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/25/us/politics/trump-chris-christie-bridgegate.html|title=Trump Threatens to Investigate Chris Christie Over 'Bridgegate'|work=New York Times|date=August 25, 2025|last=Ives|first=Mike|access-date=August 25, 2025}}</ref>

==Personal life== [[File:Mike Pence and Chris Christie at VP Office (2).jpg|thumb|Christie and his wife, Mary Pat, with Vice President Mike Pence in 2017]] In 1986, Christie married Mary Pat Foster, a fellow student at the University of Delaware. After marrying, they shared a studio apartment in Summit, New Jersey.<ref name="Convention Speech">{{cite news|title=Transcript: Gov. Chris Christie's Convention Speech|url=https://www.npr.org/2012/08/28/160213518/transcript-gov-chris-christies-convention-speech|publisher=NPR|access-date=July 16, 2013}}</ref> Mary Pat Christie pursued a career in investment banking and eventually worked at the Wall Street firm Cantor Fitzgerald; she left the firm in 2001 following the September 11 attacks.<ref name="Ledger" /> As of April 2015 she was a managing director at the Wall Street investment firm Angelo, Gordon & Co.<ref>[http://www.nationaljournal.com/pictures-video/meet-the-spouses-of-the-2016-presidential-contenders-20150413 "Meet the Spouses of the 2016 Presidential Contenders"], by Alex Laughlin. ''National Journal,'' April 13, 2015.</ref>

Christie and his wife have four children: Andrew (b. 1993), Sarah (b. 1996), Patrick (b. 2000), and Bridget (b. 2003).<ref>{{cite news|first=Josh|last=Margolin|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/01/mary_pat_christie_readies_for.html |title=Mary Pat Christie readies for role as state's first lady|work=The Star-Ledger|date=January 3, 2010|access-date=October 2, 2011}}</ref> The family resides in Mendham Township.<ref>{{cite web|title=NJ Property Records|url=https://njpropertyrecords.com/property/1419_147_6|access-date=June 16, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Anybody Home? Governor's Mansions Around the U.S. Sit Empty: New Jersey|url=https://business.time.com/2012/01/23/anybody-home-governors-mansions-around-the-u-s-sit-empty/|date=January 20, 2012|first=Alison|last=Rogers|magazine=Time|access-date=February 8, 2012}}</ref> The family also owns a house in Bay Head.<ref>{{cite web|title=State Information Services|url=https://stateinfoservices.com/property/1503/33/8/|access-date=June 13, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Dustin|last=Raciopp|title=Chris Christie closing in on purchasing multimillion-dollar home in Bay Head|work=northjersey.com|url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/governor/2018/06/26/chris-christie-bay-head-nj-house/734117002/|date=June 26, 2018|access-date=June 16, 2023}}</ref>

In July 2002, Christie was involved in a traffic accident that injured a motorcyclist on a road in Elizabeth, New Jersey, but was not issued a traffic ticket.<ref>{{cite news|title=GOP gov. candidate Chris Christie not issued traffic ticket after accident that injured motorcyclist in 2002|work=HuffPost|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gop-gov-candidate-chris-c_n_277040|date=October 19, 2009}}</ref> The incident came to light in September 2009 when Christie was running for governor.<ref>{{cite news|title=Christie Not Issued Ticked After Incident That Injured Motorcyclist In 2002|work=The Atlantic|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2009/09/christie-not-issued-ticked-after-incident-that-injured-motorcyclist-in-2002/24535/|last=Good |first=Chris| date=September 4, 2009}}</ref>

Christie's hobbies have included coaching Little League, watching the New York Mets, and attending Bruce Springsteen concerts (152 of them).<ref>"[https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/4201960-christie-on-springsteen-relationship-weve-had-a-very-interesting-journey/]", ''The Hill'' (September 13, 2023).</ref><ref>Hudson, John. [http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2012/11/chris-christie-finally-wins-bruce-springsteens-affection/58602 "Chris Christie Finally Wins Bruce Springsteen's Affection"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808233809/http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2012/11/chris-christie-finally-wins-bruce-springsteens-affection/58602/ |date=August 8, 2013 }}, ''The Atlantic Wire'' (November 1, 2012).</ref> Christie's other favorite sports teams are the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, and Dallas Cowboys.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Patra|first1=Kevin|title=Chris Christie: Dallas Cowboys my favorite NFL team |date=June 19, 2013 |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chris-christie-dallas-cowboys-my-favorite-nfl-team-0ap1000000213406|publisher=National Football League|access-date=September 4, 2014}}</ref> He is a practicing Catholic and member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.<ref>{{Cite web|last=NJ.com|first=Kelly Heyboer {{!}} NJ Advance Media for|date=August 2, 2015|title=Christie's religion: 7 facts about his Catholic faith|url=https://www.nj.com/politics/2015/08/chris_christies_religion_7_facts_about_his_catholi.html|access-date=November 30, 2021|website=nj|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Weaver|first=Dustin|date=August 4, 2015|title=Chris Christie: 'I'm a Catholic, but I've used birth control'|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/250169-christie-im-a-catholic-but-ive-used-birth-control/|access-date=November 30, 2021|website=The Hill|language=en}}</ref>

===Health=== In 2011, columnist Eugene Robinson applied the term "extremely obese" to Christie, citing medical guidelines established by the National Institutes of Health. Christie himself was reportedly concerned about his weight and its implications for his health, describing himself as relatively healthy overall.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/chris-christies-big-problem/2011/09/29/gIQAAL7J8K_story.html|title=Chris Christie's big problem|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=September 29, 2011|first=Eugene|last=Robinson}}</ref> Christie underwent lap-band stomach surgery in February 2013 and disclosed the surgery to the ''New York Post'' in May of that year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Christie reveals secret stomach surgery to lose weight|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/chris_cuts_waist_oAUDrJ8Sm1fY6awWgFY6nN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508081749/http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/chris_cuts_waist_oAUDrJ8Sm1fY6awWgFY6nN|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 8, 2013|first1=Tara|last1=Palmeri|first2=Beth|last2=DeFalco|work=New York Post|date=May 7, 2013|access-date=May 7, 2013}}</ref>

On October 3, 2020, Christie tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted to the Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey the same day, citing asthma as an underlying health concern.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/03/politics/chris-christie-coronavirus/index.html|title=Chris Christie tests positive for Covid-19|last=Stracqualursi|first=Veronica|date=October 3, 2020|publisher=CNN|access-date=October 3, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Chris Christie checks into hospital as a precaution after positive Covid-19 test |publisher=CNN |date=October 3, 2020 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/03/politics/chris-christie-coronavirus/index.html |access-date=October 3, 2020 }}</ref> On October 10, Christie was released from the hospital.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/10/politics/chris-christie-released-hospital-coronavirus/index.html|title=Chris Christie released from hospital after Covid-19 treatment|first=Veronica|last=Stracqualursi|publisher=CNN|date=October 10, 2020|access-date=November 17, 2020}}</ref> In his 2021 book, ''Republican Rescue'', Christie revealed that Donald Trump called him while he was being hospitalized, and asked "Are you gonna say you got it from me?"<ref>{{cite news|date=November 13, 2021|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/13/us/politics/chris-christie-book-trump.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201030957/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/13/us/politics/chris-christie-book-trump.html |archive-date=December 1, 2021 |title=Chris Christie Wants the Post-Trump G.O.P. to Move Past 2020| first= Maggie| last= Haberman| work = New York Times}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

== Bibliography == * ''Let Me Finish'', 2019 * ''Republican Rescue'', 2021 * ''What Would Reagan Do?'', 2024

== See also == * Electoral history of Chris Christie

== References == {{Reflist}}

== Further reading == * Ingle, Bob and Symons, Michael. ''Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power''. Macmillan, 2012. {{ISBN|1-250-00586-8}}. * Manzo, Louis Michael. ''Ruthless Ambition: The Rise and Fall of Chris Christie''. Trine Day, 2014. {{ISBN|1-937584-89-5}}. * Matt Katz. ''American Governor: Chris Christie's Bridge to Redemption''. (2016) * {{cite speech |title=Real American Exceptionalism |author=Chris Christie |date=September 27, 2011 |location=Simi Valley, California |url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/278529/chris-christie-speech-reagan-library-full-text-nro-staff}} * Christie, Chris. ''Let Me Finish: Trump, the Kushners, Bannon, New Jersey, and the Power of In-Your-Face Politics'' (Hachette, 2019)

==External links== {{Commons}} {{Wikiquote}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20150630170155/https://www.chrischristie.com/ Official 2016 Presidential Campaign website] (last updated February 11, 2016) * {{C-SPAN|1007174}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Christie, Chris}} * Category:1962 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century American lawyers Category:American people of German descent Category:American people of Irish descent Category:American people of Italian descent Category:Articles containing video clips Category:Candidates in the 2016 United States presidential election Category:Candidates in the 2024 United States presidential election Category:Catholics from New Jersey Category:County commissioners in New Jersey Category:Republican Party governors of New Jersey Category:Lawyers from Newark, New Jersey Category:Livingston High School (New Jersey) alumni Category:Lawyers from Morris County, New Jersey Category:New Jersey Republicans Category:New York Mets executives Category:People from Mendham Township, New Jersey Category:Politicians from Newark, New Jersey Category:Seton Hall University School of Law alumni Category:United States attorneys for the District of New Jersey Category:University of Delaware alumni