NJ Has 2 Of The Most Unpopular Public Officials In America

Gov. Chris Christie once wanted to be president. Now he'd probably have a hard time getting a political job anywhere in America.

That's because the once popular New Jersey politician is now the most unpopular governor in the country, according to a new Morning Consult Governor Approval rankings.

In separate polling for senators, U.S. Robert Menendez is not faring much better. The third-term senator, who is under indictment for corruption, has the third lowest approval rating in the country, at 40 percent. He has a 36 percent approval rating.

By contrast, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who ran for president last year, has a 75 percent approval rating.

More than 85,000 registered voters across America evaluated the job performance of their governors from from January 2017 through March 2017 to determine the latest rankings, and they ranked Christie the worst. (Full Methodology).

Only 25 percent of New Jerseyans approve of Christie, who continues to be dogged by the “Bridgegate” scandal. According to the poll. Seventy-one percent disapprove of Christie, whose popularity dropped even more sharply after he endorsed Donald Trump for president after dropping out of the GOP’s presidential primary last year.

The news could also be viewed as good for Christie. His popularity had dropped to a record low, for New Jersey governors, of 18 percent earlier this year.

Christie's popularity took a hit after his on-again, off-again flirtation with getting a job in the Trump administration, as well as his support for a 23-cent gas tax increase this past year.

Testimony in last year's Bridgegate trial also revealed he allegedly knew that his associates were involved in a plan to shut down lanes leading to the George Washington Bridge and that the closings were intended to punish the Fort Lee mayor for declining to support his 2013 reelection bid.

Long-time Christie confidant David Samson, who some believed had a role in the Bridgegate scheme but was never charged for it, pleaded guilty in July to demanding a bribe while he was chairman of the Port Authority.

Christie, who has repeatedly denied being involved in the scheme, recently told NBC that he believes the scandal impacted his chances of becoming Trump's vice presidential running mate. Christie also made a failed attempt at running for president earlier this year.

More than 85,000 registered voters across America also evaluated the job performance of their senators from from January 2017 through March 2017 to determine the latest rankings (Full Methodology).

Menendez, a Democrat, faces corruption charges connected to his relationship with a Florida eye doctor, Salomon Melgen, a longtime friend and political benefactor for whom Menendez allegedly did political favors, according to The New York Times. Menendez, who is up for re-election in 2018, faces a possible trial this fall.

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