N.J. majority believes Christie wants to jump from Statehouse to White House

As Gov. Chris Christie campaigns for re-election, a new Monmouth University/Asbury Park Press poll shows a majority of New Jersey residents believe he has his sights on the White House.

About two-thirds of residents surveyed believe Republican Christie wants to run for president in 2016, said poll director Patrick Murray, and 40 percent think he’s already planning that campaign.

“Is he putting New Jersey aside? Is he just making political calculations? Right now we don’t see that as a major issue,” Murray said.

“Forty-four percent of New Jerseyans say that Christie is more concerned with governing the state, 38 percent say he’s more concerned with his own political future,” he said. “Twelve percent say he’s able to balance both of those concerns equally.”

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

Despite all the talk about Christie’s weight, 61 percent of New Jersey residents believe he’s healthy enough to be president.

More than 50 percent say he has the right temperament and the right experience.

Christie and state Sen. Barbara Buono, the Democratic gubernatorial contender, face off at the polls Nov. 5

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal