As the Bridgegate investigation continues, Gov. Chris Christie's approval numbers keep dropping, according to a just-released poll.

(Governor's Office/Tim Larsen)
Governor Chris Christie answers questions during the 112th Town Hall in Toms River.
(Governor's Office/Tim Larsen)
Governor Chris Christie answers questions during the 112th Town Hall in Toms River.
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"In January, which was the last time we asked about his job performance, 48 percent approved, and today that number is down to 41 percent," said Krista Jenkins, director of the Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind poll. "Another 44 percent say they disapprove of the job he's doing as governor."

She said that "back in November, before all of controversy about Bridgegate and the lane closures erupted, he had a 61 percent favorability rating, so there's been about of a drop of 20 points or so in the last three months."

The survey also finds Christie's likes and his dislikes are about even.

"The percentage of people who say they like everything about him, both his personality and his politics, is about the same as the percentage who dislike everything about him," Jenkins said.

In addition, she said "across the board his numbers are down, that is if you look at both Democrats, independents and Republicans, he's taken a hit among all of these groups. It looks like Bridgegate is making this once-widely-popular governor someone who engenders a much more polarized response these days."

The poll also finds many New Jersey residents are still very interested in Bridgegate.

"Eighty-two percent are saying that they're following the investigation closely, with a third paying very close attention," Jenkins said.

The survey also finds while a third of Jersey residents believe the legislative committee investigating Bridgegate is doing a good or excellent job, 54 percent say they're doing a fair or poor job.

"A third of state residents believe the governor's response to the Bridgegate investigation has been excellent or good," Jenkins said, "with 61 percent who think that the governor's response has been fair or poor."

 

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