New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie launched a campaign website on Saturday, ahead of an expected announcement next week that he plans to seek the GOP presidential nomination.
“Hey America, it’s Chris,” Christie said in a series of tweets unveiling the website, chrischristie.com.
Christie reportedly plans to formally announce his candidacy on Tuesday at Livingston High School in New Jersey, where he graduated in 1980 as class president and played catcher on his high school’s championship baseball team.
The website launch is the surest sign yet that he’s in the race. The homepage leads with the slogan “Chris Christie: Telling it like it is,” and asks potential supporters, “Are you ready? Sign up!” There’s also a link for supporters to donate to the campaign.
Christie has been maneuvering to position himself to seek the GOP nomination since winning re-election as governor in 2013, in spite of the infamous “Bridgegate” scandal in which Christie allies collaborated to create traffic jams in Fort Lee, N.J. — allegedly as political retribution. Though Christie was cleared of wrongdoing, three other officials in his administration — including a close aide — were charged with fraud in the case.
He described himself as the most “combat-ready” Republican in a June 14 appearance on ABC’s “This Week.”
A poll released Tuesday shows that there are lingering doubts about his leadership among New Jersey voters. The poll by Fairleigh Dickinson University found that only 30 percent approved of the job he’s doing as governor, versus 55 percent who disapprove.
“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 at the university and director of the poll.
