Most in New Jersey take a dim view of Christie as governor, poll finds

As he considers whether to run for president, Gov. Chris Christie is earning some uninspiring grades in his own back yard.

A new Fairleigh Dickinson PublicMind poll finds 42 percent of New Jersey residents surveyed the state’s economy has worsened under Christie’s watch and 52 percent say the same about taxes and spending.

Voters are divided on whether Christie has helped with other major issues such as the state transportation system, environmental concerns, and government ethics and honesty, said Krista Jenkins, poll director.

And 75 percent of residents believe the governor can point to only minor accomplishments.

“Overall, I think that the portrait emerges of leadership that has not been as successful as he might have hoped, Jenkins said. “Majorities of people basically saying things are either no better or no worse or in fact have grown worse.”

About half of the poll respondents said Christie has had some modest success as governor and rate him about average compared with his predecessors.

Someone running for the White House would probably want more positive responses, Jenkins said.