Christie job-approval rating plunges to record low

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s job approval rating has fallen to a record low.

Only 21 percent of registered voters surveyed in the latest Fairleigh Dickinson University Public Mind poll approve of the job Christie is doing, a drop of 5 points since June. Meanwhile, 72 percent disapprove.

Poll director Krista Jenkins said most Republicans have given Christie a negative evaluation.

“The recent gas tax increase that the governor supported no doubt caused some in his party to turn against him even though he did seek to reduce taxes in other areas in order to offset the increase at the pump,” Jenkins said.

The Bridgegate trial is also hurting Christie. Jenkins said 37 percent of voters believe it’s highly unlikely the governor didn’t know what his aides were doing before or during the 2013 lane closures — ostensibly as political payback — on the George Washington Bridge.

“Fifty-two percent believe there is sufficient proof that Gov. Christie knew about and did nothing to prevent the lane closures from occurring or stop them from continuing,” Jenkins said. “A third or 36 percent believe sufficient proof does not exist.”

Even with the drop in voter support for his performance, 57 percent of those surveyed reject the idea that Christie should resign or be removed from office though impeachment. The governor’s second term ends in January 2018.