Chris Christie will enter the 2016 race for the Republican presidential nomination Tuesday, according to multiple reports.
He’s due to announce his bid at Livingston High School, site of his early success as a politician. Christie was president of his high school class.
Christie, 52, had been once been touted as the candidate Democrats least wanted to see running for president. He easily won re-election in New Jersey, and his tough-guy, no-nonsense style was seen as having wide appeal.
But he’s faltered since, first by getting entangled in controversy over the 2013 George Washington bridge access road closing, then in a state budget battle.
His latest state approval rating in the Fairleigh Dickinson University Public Mind poll sank to 30 percent, while 55 percent disapproved..
“The good news is that none of his potential presidential opponents have emerged with a decisive lead yet. The bad news is that he is the governor in a state where a sizable majority give a thumbs down to his leadership,” said Krista Jenkins, professor of political science and director of PublicMind, in a press release.
He’s also low in polls in New Hampshire, site of the nation’s first presidential primary. A Suffolk University Political Research Center poll June 18 to 22 had Christie with 5 percent support.