Chris Christie Bio
Christopher James Christie (born September 6, 1962) is an American politician and lawyer who served as the 55th Governor of New Jersey from 2010 to 2018. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey from 2002 to 2008 and as a Morris County freeholder in the 1990s. Christie ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 and again in 2024, and he has remained an active voice in national and New Jersey politics.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Christie built his career around public service, fiscal reform, and law enforcement. His tenure as governor was defined by budget cuts, a 2 percent property tax cap, Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts, and the Fort Lee lane-closure (“Bridgegate”) controversy. After leaving office, he worked in media, authored books, chaired national task forces, and continued to influence the Republican Party.
Early Life and Background
Christopher James Christie was born on September 6, 1962, in Newark, New Jersey, to Sondra A. Grasso, a telephone receptionist, and Wilbur James “Bill” Christie, a certified public accountant who graduated from Rutgers Business School. His mother was of Italian (Sicilian) ancestry, and his father is of German, Scottish, and Irish descent. After the 1967 Newark riots, the Christie family moved to Livingston, New Jersey, where he lived through high school.
At Livingston High School, Christie graduated in 1980. He served as class president, played catcher for the baseball team, and was selected as a New Jersey representative to the United States Senate Youth Program. Christie has credited his Democratic-leaning mother with sparking his interest in Republican politics by encouraging him to volunteer for Thomas Kean, the New Jersey gubernatorial candidate who became his lifelong political role model.
Christie went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Delaware in 1984, where he also served as president of the student body. He later received his Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1987, was admitted to the New Jersey State Bar Association, and was admitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
Path to US Politics
Christie began his political career as a volunteer for Republican Thomas Kean’s 1981 gubernatorial campaign. After law school, he joined the firm of Dughi, Hewit & Palatucci in Cranford, New Jersey, in 1987, became a partner in 1993, and specialized in securities law, appellate practice, election law, and government affairs. He also served as a registered statehouse lobbyist for the firm from 1999 to 2001.
In 1994, Christie was elected as a Morris County freeholder (legislator). His campaign drew criticism for inaccurate statements about his opponent’s legal issues, and he lost his 1996 Republican primary bid for reelection. Following that loss, he returned to private law practice and worked as George W. Bush’s campaign lawyer in New Jersey during the 2000 presidential election.
After Bush won the presidency, he appointed Christie as the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey on December 7, 2001. Christie was sworn into office on January 17, 2002, after unanimous Senate confirmation, beginning the federal phase of his political rise.
Chris Christie Career
Early Career (1994–2001)
Christie’s first elected office came in 1994 as a Morris County freeholder, a position that introduced him to county-level governance and budget issues. His loss in the 1996 Republican primary ended his brief tenure as a part-time legislator but did not derail his political ambitions. He returned to the law firm of Dughi, Hewit & Palatucci, where he expanded the firm’s Trenton lobbying practice alongside partner Bill Palatucci.
Between 1999 and 2001, Christie and Palatucci lobbied on behalf of GPU Energy, the Securities Industry Association, Hackensack University Medical Center, and the University of Phoenix. During the 2000 presidential election, Christie served as George W. Bush’s campaign lawyer for New Jersey and helped raise roughly $350,000 for the Bush effort, earning recognition as a Bush “Pioneer” fundraiser and setting the stage for his later federal appointment.
Breakthrough (2002–2008)
As the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey from January 2002 to December 2008, Christie oversaw a high-profile office that secured the convictions of 130 public officials from both local and state levels. His tenure was marked by aggressive public corruption cases, including high-profile convictions that earned him a national reputation as a tough federal prosecutor.
Christie also personally led several prominent corruption trials, including the 2007 conviction of Democratic Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s former aide and several Democratic political operatives. His willingness to pursue both parties made him a rare bipartisan figure in New Jersey politics and laid the groundwork for his 2009 gubernatorial campaign.
Republican Era (2009–Present)
Christie won the 2009 Republican primary for Governor of New Jersey and defeated Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine in the general election. In his first term, he was credited with cutting spending, signing a 2 percent property tax cap, and leading the state’s recovery efforts after Hurricane Sandy. He was re-elected in 2013 by a wide margin over State Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono and chaired the Republican Governors Association during the 2014 campaign.
His second term was marked by the Fort Lee lane-closure (“Bridgegate”) scandal, several public controversies, and declining approval ratings. Term limited in 2017, Christie left office on January 16, 2018, with one of the lowest approval ratings of any departing New Jersey governor. He launched a 2016 presidential campaign but ended it after a poor showing in New Hampshire, later endorsing Donald Trump.
After his governorship, Christie wrote the book “Republican Rescue” and worked in media. He announced his second presidential campaign on June 6, 2023, for the 2024 Republican nomination, distinguishing himself through pointed criticism of Trump. He dropped out before voting began and returned to political commentary, writing, and advocacy on issues including the federal response to the opioid epidemic.
Notable Events and Milestones
Christie’s most defining moment as governor came after Hurricane Sandy in 2012, when his bipartisan coordination with President Barack Obama helped lift his approval rating to 77 percent. Conversely, the 2013 Fort Lee lane closures marked a dramatic turning point, generating multiple investigations, staff resignations, and federal prosecutions of his closest aides.
Chris Christie Career Wins
Chris Christie secured several signature political victories during his career, most notably his defeat of Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine in the 2009 gubernatorial race and his 2013 re-election by a wide margin. His tenure as U.S. Attorney produced a record 130 public corruption convictions, including cases involving state and local officials from both parties. He also successfully led the Republican Governors Association during the 2014 cycle.
US Politics Highlights
Christie’s political record includes winning a 2009 upset gubernatorial race, a commanding 2013 re-election, and leadership of the Republican Governors Association. His 2016 presidential bid ended after the New Hampshire primary, while his 2024 campaign ended before primary voting began.
Other Wins & Achievements
In 2010, Christie was awarded honorary doctorate degrees by both Rutgers University and Monmouth University. He also signed landmark legislation legalizing online gambling in New Jersey in February 2013 and a sports betting law in October 2014.
Chris Christie Family
Family Background and Political Lineage
Christie was raised in a politically divided household: his father, Wilbur James “Bill” Christie, was a Republican certified public accountant, while his mother, Sondra A. Grasso, was a Democrat. He has long credited his mother with inspiring his Republican identity by encouraging him to volunteer for Thomas Kean during the 1981 gubernatorial campaign. Christie is a practicing Catholic and a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
Personal Life
In 1986, Christie married Mary Pat Foster, a fellow student at the University of Delaware. After their marriage, the couple settled into a studio apartment in Summit, New Jersey, before raising their family in Mendham Township. The Christies have four children: Andrew (born 1993), Sarah (born 1996), Patrick (born 2000), and Bridget (born 2003).
Mary Pat Christie pursued a career in investment banking, working at Cantor Fitzgerald and later at Angelo, Gordon & Co. Christie’s personal hobbies have included coaching Little League, following the New York Mets, and attending Bruce Springsteen concerts.