January 31, 2017
A new low for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie? Looks to be that way, according to a poll released Tuesday.
Quinnipiac University published the results of a recent survey that shows Christie's approval rate is at a lowly 17 percent in the Garden State. That's compared to 19 percent in December, the lowest approval rating for any governor across the nation in more than 20 years that the university's been conducting the poll, it said in a news release.
Seventy-eight percent of voters said they disapprove of "the way Chris Christie is handling his job as governor" in the survey conducted with 1,240 registered voters in the state from Jan. 26-30.
Additionally, 53 percent of Republicans surveyed in the poll said they disapprove of the governor.
"It's interesting, in an unfriendly way, to wonder how low Gov. Christopher Christie's job-approval numbers might drop," said Mickey Carroll, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. "Still, he's got 11 more months as the most powerful governor in the land and the State Legislature still sustains his vetoes. It might be an interesting year."
Farleigh Dickinson University also published the results of its own survey Tuesday, finding Christie's approval rate at a similar 18 percent, exactly where it was in December.
Though, the rating has dropped drastically from January 2016 when it was 31 percent.
Researchers at the Teaneck, New Jersey university also found that just 37 percent of Republicans surveyed said that they approve of his leadership.
“Governor Christie’s State of the State address implored the public and legislators to do more to stop the drug epidemic in the state," said Krista Jenkins, director of PublicMind and professor of political science. "Unlike past speeches that focused on taxes, spending, and other more conventional topics, this one was different in its bipartisan focus on an issue that has touched so many lives across the state. Unfortunately, New Jersey voters still think he’s doing a lousy job."
Farleigh Dickinson conducted its survey with 839 voters between Jan. 25-29 via phone.
