2016 Presidential Candidate Profile: Chris Christie

Alexander J. Segal's picture
Submitted by Alexander J. Segal on November 20, 2015 - 1:10pm

Follow this link to read about my 2016 Presidential Candidate Profiles.

Candidate Profile: Chris Christie

Current Office: Governor of New Jersey

Age: 53 (born Sept. 6, 1962)

Party: Republican

Real Clear Politics Poll Average (as of November 20, 2015): 2.8% (10th)1

Campaign Website: chrischristie.com

Chris Christie is running in the Republican primary for President. He is the incumbent Governor of New Jersey. Prior to serving Governor of New Jersey, Christie was the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey.

Chris Christie on the Key Issues:

Immigration:

Governor Christie has called the “gang of eight” immigration legislation “fatally flawed.”2 He joined the lawsuit against the executive actions implementing DACA [see blog]. He opposes a “path to citizenship” for undocumented aliens in the United States, although he previously spoke favorably of the idea.3

As Governor, Christie signed legislation allowing undocumented aliens who grew up in New Jersey to receive in-state tuition at state colleges and universities.4 He vetoed a bill that would have allowed undocumented aliens to obtain state driver's licenses.5

On his campaign website, Governor Christie advocates implementing E-Verify nationwide, and increasing the law enforcement emphasis on tracking those who overstay nonimmigrant visas [see category].

Israel:

Governor Christie is a steadfast supporter of Israel stating on his website that “Our commitment to Israel must be absolute [PDF version].” He has been a harsh critic of the Iran deal. I have no doubt that a President Christie would be an unshakable ally to Israel and would ensure that our shared interests are enshrined in U.S. foreign policy.

Issue of Interest — Education Reform:

Governor Christie has a difficult job as a Republican Governor in the mostly blue state of New Jersey. Many of his most impressive accomplishments have been on education. In 2012, he signed an important teacher tenure reform bill that tightened the rules for granting tenure, thus increasing teacher accountability in New Jersey.6 He also negotiated with the Obama Administration to obtain a waiver for New Jersey from some of the onerous federal requirements of No Child Left Behind.7

Summary:

Governor Christie is my first choice for President in 2016, and I urge readers to look closely at his record and give him careful consideration. The skills that Governor Christie has shown in advancing conservative reforms in Democratic New Jersey are precisely what we need in the White House. It would be a great loss if his current low poll numbers prevent him from getting a proper hearing from the American people.

Although I do not agree with all of Governor Christie's positions on immigration (for example, I am less fond of E-Verify [see blog]), he overall strikes a good balance between emphasizing immigration enforcement and not coming off as anti-immigration. I have no reservations in calling him one of the strongest supporters of Israel in the 2016 race.

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  1. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/2016_republican_presidential_nomination-3823.html (retrieved November 20, 2015)
  2. Spiering, Charlie, “Exclusive — Chris Christie: Gang of Eight Bill Was 'Fatally Flawed' from the Beginning,” Breibart, November 3, 2015, http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/11/13/exclusive-chris-christie-gang-eight-bill-fatally-flawed-beginning/
  3. http://www.ontheissues.org/2016/Chris_Christie_Immigration.htm
  4. Baxter, Christopher, “Chris Christie signs bill granting in-state tuition to N.J. immigrants,” nj.com, December 20, 2013, http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/12/chris_christie_signs_bill_granting_in-state_tuition_to_nj_immigrants.html
  5. AP, “Christie against licenses for those without legal status,” Washington Times, November 16, 2013, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/nov/16/lawmakers-consider-creating-drivers-license-for-im/
  6. Renshaw, Jarrett, “Gov. Christie hails signing of tenure reform bill as 'a great day for good teachers,'” nj.com, August 7, 2015, http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/08/gov_christie_hails_signing_of.html
  7. www.nj.gov/education/news/2015/0723ref.htm
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2016 Presidential Candidate Profile: Chris Christie