Chris Christie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chris Christie
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Christie in April 2015
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| 55th Governor of New Jersey | |
| In office January 19, 2010 – January 16, 2018 |
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| Lieutenant | Kim Guadagno |
| Preceded by | Jon Corzine |
| Succeeded by | Phil Murphy |
| Chair of the Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission | |
| In office March 29, 2017 – November 1, 2017 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey | |
| In office January 17, 2002 – December 1, 2008 |
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| Nominated by | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Robert Cleary |
| Succeeded by | Ralph Marra (Acting) |
| Member of the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders | |
| In office January 1, 1995 – January 1, 1998 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Christopher James Christie
September 6, 1962 Newark, New Jersey |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Mary Pat Foster (m. 1986)
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| Children | Andrew (b. 1993) Sarah (b. 1996) Patrick (b. 2000) Bridget (b. 2003) |
| Residence | Mendham, New Jersey |
| Alma mater | University of Delaware Seton Hall University |
| Signature |  |
Christopher James "Chris" Christie (born September 6, 1962) is an American politician. In 2010, he became the 55th Governor of New Jersey. He was the first Republican to win a statewide election in New Jersey in 12 years. He left the office on January 16, 2018.
Some people thought Christie was a leading candidate for the Republican Presidential nomination in 2016. He announced his presidential campaign on June 30, 2015. After poor polling numbers and not winning the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries, Christie suspended his campaign on February 10, 2016. On July 12, 2016, it was reported that Christie was on Trump's three-person shortlist to be his running mate in the general election. On July 14, 2016, the Trump campaign announced that Governor of Indiana Mike Pence would be Trump's running mate.
In March 2017, it was announced Christie was to chair the Trump administration's Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission.
Early life
Christie was born on September 6, 1962 in Newark, New Jersey. He is of Irish-Scottish-Sicilian descent. He was raised in Livingston, New Jersey. Christie studied at the University of Delaware and at Seton Hall University.
Early career
Christie joined a Cranford, New Jersey, law firm in 1987, rose to become a partner in 1993, and continued practicing until 2002.
He was elected county legislator in Morris County, serving from 1995 to 1998, during which time he generally pushed for lower taxes and lower spending. By 2002, Christie had campaigned for Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush. Bush appointed him as United States Attorney for New Jersey, a position he held from 2002 to 2008.
Governor of New Jersey (2010-2018)
In January 2009, Christie declared his candidacy for Governor of New Jersey. He won the Republican primary, and defeated incumbent Governor Jon Corzine in the election that November. In 2013, he won re-election as Governor, defeating Democrat Barbara Buono by a margin of over 22%. He was sworn in to a second term as governor on January 21, 2014.
As governor, Christie has promised not to raise taxes. He has also vowed to lower the state income and business taxes. On September 18, 2013, Christie signed legislation to overhaul the state's business tax incentive programs.
Christie is a strong supporter of the state granting tax credits to parents who send their children to private and parochial schools. He also supports the introduction of state-funded vouchers, which parents of students in failing school districts could use to pay the tuition of private schools.
Christie has stated that he believes that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is too big and is "killing business" with permit delays. In January 2013 Christie vetoed a New Jersey Legislature bill that would have raised the minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 per hour. Christie supports gay marriage, but said that he would not pass a bill allowing gay marriage in New Jersey. He also supports the DREAM Act and illegal immigrants.
On November 21, 2013, Christie was elected Chairman of the Republican Governors Association, succeeding Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal.
Personal life
He has been married to Mary Pat Foster since 1986. They have four children.
Images for kids
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Christie at a town hall meeting in Union City, New Jersey, on February 9, 2011
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Christie's campaign bus pulls out front of Stainton Square in Ocean City, New Jersey
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Christie at a town hall in March 2011
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Governor Chris Christie speaking at an event in October 2015
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George Washington Bridge over the Hudson River, looking west from Manhattan to Fort Lee and the Palisades
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Governor Chris Christie campaigning with Gubernatorial candidate Doug Ducey in Arizona
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Chris Christie speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference
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Governor Chris Christie speaking at the 2014 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland
