New Poll Shows Support For Christie At All-Time Low

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A new poll released Thursday showed New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's support at an all-time low since he returned his focus from the White House to the state.

As WCBS 880's Stephanie Colombini reported, Christie's unfavorability rating rose five points in February to 64 percent – its highest point yet – in a poll by the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling.

Some might wonder whether Christie's failed campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, or his support of GOP frontrunner Donald Trump, have to do with the increase. But Ashley Koning of the Eagleton Center said only a small fraction of those who said they did not like Christie cited those issues.

"We asked New Jersey voters why they feel the way they did, and it's the same reasons that have persisted throughout Governor Christie's entire tenure," Koning said.

The biggest reasons for not liking Christie were his personality, performance as governor and apparent dishonesty, according to the poll.

Among Republicans, the majority of poll respondents still regarded Christie favorably – a total of 56 percent. Btu that figure was down since the last poll two months earlier. A total of 63 percent of independents and 87 percent of Democrats rated Christie unfavorably.

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez fared better in the poll than Christie, despite his ongoing federal indictment. Only 29 percent of poll respondents were favorable to Menendez, but only 32 percent were flat-out unfavorable and 39 percent had no opinion. Not even Republicans reached a majority in rating Menendez unfavorably.

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker fared best of all in the poll, with 48 percent favorable, 23 percent unfavorable, and 30 percent with no opinion. A total of 64 percent of Democrats, 47 percent of independents, and 26 percent of Republicans rated Booker favorably.