As New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's term nears end, his approval rating sinks to 13 percent

In the days after Superstorm Sandy ravaged New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie crisscrossed the state, assessing damage, hugging evacuees and projecting the image of a man in charge. In a famous show of bipartisanship, he welcomed President Obama to New Jersey as the state sought federal funds to help with damage.

Christie’s popularity and job approval ratings reached their apex in February 2013, a few months after the storm and seven months before his reelection bid. At that time, 70% of residents viewed him favorably and 73% approved of the job he had done.

But on Tuesday, as Christie delivered his final State of the State address — in which he spoke triumphantly of his achievements — a Rutgers University poll showed that just 13% of New Jersey residents had a favorable impression of him. It was the lowest rating of any New Jersey governor since Rutgers began polling residents nearly 50 years ago.

His Democratic successor, Gov.-elect Phil Murphy, will take office Jan. 16. For some New Jersey residents, Christie’s last day in office can’t come soon enough.

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