New Monmouth University Poll Shows Increase in Chris Christie Job Approval

A Monmouth University/NJ Press Media Poll shows that Gov. Chris Christie's job approval rating has increased since his flirtation with a presidential bid.

On Oct. 4, Christie this year, after speculation about his candidacy had been rumored for months.

The Monmouth University/NJ Press Media Poll was conducted by telephone with 817 New Jersey adults from Oct. 5-9.

The poll shows Christie has a 54 percent approval job rating and a 38 percent disapproval job rating among the residents polled. This is the highest rating Christie has ever received in the Monmouth University/NJ Press Media Poll, according to a release from the university.  The previous highest approval rating he garnered was 50 percent in early August.

Eighty-four percent of Republicans polled approve Christie's tenure as governor, and 12 percent disapprove it. Only, 32 percent of Democrats approve the job he has done so far, and 59 percent disapprove it.  

While the partisan results are basically unchanged, according to the release, his standing among independents has increased by 14 points, and his approval rating now sits at 58 percent, to 34 percent disapprove.

Men and women polled appear to have similar feelings about the governor. Christie stands at 54 percent approve to 36 percent disapprove among men, and 53 percent to 40 percent among women.

Half of those polled believed that Christie was sincerely reconsidering his earlier remarks that he said he would not run for president, while 37 percent doubt if he was actually going to run.

The poll shows that most residents (47 percent) believe the national attention Christie created while he was pondering his candidacy has good for the state's reputation. Sixteen percent felt it was bad, and 33 percent say it had no effect.

Sixty-six percent of those polled believe that Christie's potential presidential run has had no impact on his effectiveness as a governor. Sixteen percent feel it has mad him more effective and 13 percent feel it has made him less effective.