6 Things to Know About Chris Christie, the Latest Presidential Candidate
Diana Stancy /
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is anticipated to announce his 2016 presidential run today. He joins 13 other Republican candidates in the presidential race.
Here are six things to know about Christie:
1) Christie is a die-hard Bruce Springsteen fan and has attended more than 130 of Springsteen’s concerts. However, it’s no secret that the governor and the rock star maintain opposing political views. Even so, 48 percent of New Jersey residents think it’s “kind of cool” Christie is a Springsteen fan.
2) Christie revealed that he donated to Planned Parenthood in 1994 during his run as a Morris County freeholder. Although Christie’s views on abortion have evolved, he currently maintains a pro-life stance. In 2011, he said, “I am pro-life. I believe in exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother. That’s my position. Take it or leave it.”
3) Baseball has always been a part of Christie’s life. In high school, Christie was the captain of his baseball team and today, he is a huge New York Mets fan. Earlier this month, he was named “the unofficial MVP of the first game on the strength of several fine fielding plays at third base” during a charity softball game.
4) In May 2015, Christie said President Obama was the “most anti-growth” president in post-war history and identified Democratic policies as hurting job growth.
“We must put an end to this toxic mix of pessimism and arrogance—this belief that government can exert greater control over our lives but then refuse to accept responsibility for the failure that control has wrought,” Christie said at the University of New Hampshire at Manchester.
“This fantasy that the last six years have been a great success when wages are flat, full-time employment for the middle class is shrinking, and wealth is at all-time highs only for the privileged.”
5) Twice, Christie has been listed as one of the 100 most influential people by TIME, first in 2011 and also in 2013. In 2013, Christie’s management during Hurricane Sandy received notice, especially when a 9-year-old’s essay was featured in TIME explaining Christie’s response to the disaster.
6) Christie has been married to his wife, Mary Pat Christie, since 1986. Mary Pat is an accomplished woman and recently resigned from her position as managing director at Angelo, Gordon & Co., a Wall Street investment firm. Together, they have four kids: Sarah, Andrew, Bridget and Patrick.