Chris Christie’s Numbers Tanking in New Jersey

Following a number of bad headlines over an extended period of time, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s popularity among voters in his home state has taken a steep drop, seven points over two months, according to a new Rutgers-Eagleton poll.

Only 37% of registered voters reported a favorable impression in this latest survey:

 For the first time, a clear majority (53 percent) feels unfavorable towards the governor. His overall job approval is also clearly negative: 52 percent disapprove while 42 percent approve, a drop of six points since December.

Voters have definite opinions about reasons behind the slide. Twenty percent mention his attitude, personality, and behavior; 15 percent refer specifically to “Bridgegate” and 10 percent say something about shunning his current duties to pursue presidential ambitions.

“As one respondent said, ‘Christie visiting different states for the presidential race made New Jerseyans not like him,’” said David Redlawsk, director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling and professor of political science at Rutgers University. “Others used words like ‘arrogance,’ ‘rudeness’ and ‘abrasive’ to explain the turnaround from his high flying post-Sandy days. And of course, all manner of mentions of Bridgegate and other scandals were offered.”

Christie has also taken a hit regarding issues sure to figure into any run for the 2016 GOP nomination. His “job approval on taxes (the top concern for 29 percent of voters) is down three points to 28 percent since the December 2014 Rutgers-Eagleton Poll. On the economy – the most important issue for 24 percent – Christie is down four points to 31 percent approval.”

The full poll and an accompanying release are available.