Coming off a major national address at the Republican convention and heading into the fourth and final year of his first term, Gov. Christie retains strong popularity in an otherwise Democratic state, according to the Inquirer New Jersey Poll conducted last week.
Christie has 56 percent favorability ratings statewide, tying with President Obama, a Democrat, as the most popular of seven prominent politicians whose names were polled. Christie's unfavorability ranking statewide is 40 percent.
When voters were asked if they approved of the job that Christie is doing, 59 percent answered affirmatively, compared with 55 percent for the president.
In the seven South Jersey counties, the governor's job approval drops - but ever so slightly, to 55 percent; his favorability there is 53 percent.
