He is the guy who shouted down a teacher at a town hall. The guy who hugged Barack Obama after a hurricane. The guy who basically invented the "straight talk" brand before it became a political cliché. But if you’re asking who is Chris Christie, you're probably looking for more than just a list of viral YouTube clips from ten years ago.
Honestly, he’s a walking contradiction of a politician. He's a blue-state Republican who won by a landslide in New Jersey, yet he’s often treated like an outsider in his own party today. Christopher James Christie was the 55th Governor of New Jersey, serving from 2010 to 2018. Before that, he was a federal prosecutor who put over 130 corrupt officials behind bars without losing a single case. That’s a wild stat, right? But the thing is, his career has been a rollercoaster of high-altitude wins and "Bridgegate" shaped valleys.
Today, in early 2026, he’s mostly seen as the Republican party’s chief internal critic. He isn't holding public office right now. Instead, he spends his time as a legal and political commentator for ABC News, runs his own law firm in Morristown, and serves on the board of the New York Mets. He’s the guy who tried to stop Donald Trump in the 2024 primaries, didn't quite get there, and is now navigating a GOP that looks very different from the one he once led as head of the Republican Governors Association.
The Prosecutor Who Became a Governor
People forget how he actually started. He wasn't born into a political dynasty. He was just a kid from Newark who went to the University of Delaware and then Seton Hall for law school. He got his start in local politics in Morris County, but his real "big break" came when George W. Bush appointed him as the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey in 2001.
That job changed everything.
While most prosecutors stay in the shadows, Christie lived for the press conference. He went after everybody. Democrats, Republicans, it didn't matter. He took down the powerful Newark Mayor Sharpe James and a whole slew of other "untouchable" politicians. This "tough guy" persona wasn't just an act; it was his ticket to the governor’s mansion. In 2009, he beat the Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine in a state where Republicans aren't supposed to win.
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How’d he do it? He pitched himself as the guy who would tell the truth, even if it hurt. He talked about "sacred trusts" with pensions while simultaneously fighting the teachers' unions to cut costs. He was loud. He was aggressive. New Jersey loved it for a while.
The Hurricane and the Hug
Then came Superstorm Sandy in 2012. This is the moment most people remember. The Jersey Shore was devastated, and Christie—wearing his iconic blue fleece—was everywhere. He stood side-by-side with President Barack Obama just days before the 2012 election.
Republicans were furious. They felt he gave Obama a photo-op that helped him win re-election. Christie didn't care. Or at least, he acted like he didn't. He told people that his job was to save his state, not play partisan games. That "pragmatic" streak is exactly who is Chris Christie at his core, but it also started the slow-burn resentment from the MAGA wing of the party that would haunt him later.
What Really Happened With Bridgegate?
You can't talk about Christie without the George Washington Bridge. In 2013, someone in his administration decided to close lanes in Fort Lee to punish the local mayor for not endorsing Christie. It was petty. It was stupid. And it was a disaster.
Traffic was backed up for days. Kids couldn't get to school. Ambulances were stuck. Christie claimed he knew nothing about it, and while the U.S. Supreme Court eventually overturned the criminal convictions of his aides in 2020, the damage was done. His approval ratings in New Jersey tanked, eventually hitting a historic low of around 19%.
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It’s the ultimate "what if" in American politics. Before Bridgegate, Christie was the clear frontrunner for the 2016 GOP nomination. After it, he was "damaged goods" in the eyes of many donors.
The Trump Era: From Ally to Arch-Nemesis
This is where the story gets really weird. After Christie’s own 2016 presidential bid fizzled out in New Hampshire, he did the unthinkable: he became the first major establishment Republican to endorse Donald Trump.
He stayed close for a long time. He ran Trump’s transition team (briefly, before being ousted by Jared Kushner). He even coached Trump for his debates against Joe Biden in 2020. But things soured after the 2020 election. Christie was one of the first Republicans to say, "Hey, there was no widespread fraud. It’s over."
When the January 6th Capitol riot happened, the bridge was officially burned.
The 2024 Primary and Beyond
By the time the 2024 primaries rolled around, Christie had a new mission. He wasn't just running for president; he was running to stop Trump. He called him a "lonely, self-consumed, self-serving mirror hog." He was the only person on the debate stage willing to say the things that other candidates were too afraid to whisper.
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He dropped out right before the Iowa caucuses, but his impact stayed. He forced the party to look at itself in the mirror. Whether they liked what they saw is a different story.
Who is Chris Christie in 2026?
So, what is he doing now? He’s not retiring to a beach house. Not his style.
- The Law and Consulting: He’s the Managing Member of the Christie Law Firm and Christie 55 Solutions. He advises big companies on how to navigate the mess of government regulations.
- Media Presence: You’ll see him almost every Sunday on ABC's This Week. He’s carved out a niche as the "sensible Republican" who can explain why the party is doing what it’s doing, even if he disagrees with it.
- The Sports World: He’s on the board of the New York Mets. If you’ve seen him sitting near Steve Cohen at a game, now you know why. He’s also been vocal about the legality of sports prediction markets lately, proving he’s still got that prosecutor’s itch.
- The Author: He’s written three books now, including Republican Rescue and his most recent one, What Would Reagan Do?, which dropped in 2024.
He’s basically a political free agent. He has no constituency to answer to, which makes him more dangerous—and more interesting—than he was when he was actually in office.
Actionable Insights: Learning from the Christie Playbook
If you’re looking at Christie’s career to understand power or politics, there are three major takeaways:
- Direct Communication Wins (Until it Doesn't): Christie’s "Tell It Like It Is" brand worked because it felt authentic. In a world of scripted politicians, being the guy who yells at a heckler can be a superpower. But, that same aggression can turn into a liability if people think you’re using it to bully others (see: Bridgegate).
- Crisis Leadership is the Ultimate Test: His response to Hurricane Sandy is still the gold standard for many New Jerseyans. When the chips are down, people don't care about your party; they care if the lights are coming back on.
- The Perils of Being a "Bridge" Candidate: Christie tried to be the guy who could talk to both sides. In 2012, that made him a superstar. In 2026, it makes him a man without a country in a deeply polarized political landscape.
If you want to track where the Republican party is heading next, keep an eye on Christie’s commentary. He’s usually the "canary in the coal mine" for the anti-Trump wing of the GOP. Whether that wing ever regains power is the big question, but you can bet Christie will be there to tell you exactly why they should.
To stay updated on his latest moves, you can follow his legal firm's updates or catch his weekly segments on ABC News, where he continues to influence the national conversation from the outside in.