Christie Files Papers

Former crime-busting U.S. Attorney Chris Christie sent the much-anticipated e-mail today: Dear Friend, This morning I am filing papers to begin the process to become a candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor of New Jersey.

Confirmation of his poorly kept secret probably energized much of the state’s GOP faithful, who are trying to make their party relevant again. But is Christie’s impressive record of crime-fighting enough to carry the one-time Morris County Freeholder past primary challengers? Or will he be seen as a one trick pony? And if he wins the Republican nomination, will Christie be able to raise sufficient funds to contend against extremely deep-pocketed Gov. Jon Corzine?

The following Rutgers experts can comment:

INGRID REED is a policy analyst and director of Rutgers’ Eagleton Institute of Politics’ New Jersey Project, an initiative designed to reinforce and expand the contributions of the institute to the governance and politics of its home state. Among its initiatives are programs on campaign and election activity, women and politics, welfare reform and governance issues. Reed’s work focuses on campaigns and elections from the point of view of the citizen.

Call Reed at 609-610-3312.

JOHN WEINGART is associate director of Rutgers’ Eagleton Institute of Politics. Before joining Eagleton, he worked for more than 20 years in New Jersey state government, focusing on environmental and land use issues while serving in the administrations of two Democratic and two Republican governors.

Call Weingart at 908-892-8327.