New Jersey residents have a more negative view of Gov. Chris Christie in light of the recent Bridgegate developments, according to the latest Monmouth University/Asbury Park Press Poll.

Gov. Chris Christie
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Christie's job approval rating dipped to 59 percent, from 65 percent one month ago. For the first time since Superstorm Sandy hit the state, his job approval came in under 60 percent. Participants were asked the survey questions after it was revealed that a key member of Christie's staff played a role in September's lane closures at the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee.

"It looks like the bridge incident has dimmed Christie's more than year-long Sandy afterglow just a bit," said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute. "Still, his job performance numbers remain strong and suggest that the governor can bank on some continued goodwill as this story develops."

Personal views of Christie took the bigger hit. Compared to a 70 percent favorability rating one year ago, just 44 percent of Garden Staters hold a favorable impression of the Governor. A total of 56 percent either view Christie unfavorably or are unsure how they feel about him.

"There is now a gap between the public's view of Christie's job performance and his personal behavior," Murray added. "There has been a shift from largely positive opinion of the man to a situation where some New Jerseyans are not quite sure what to think of him."

Three-in-10 respondents said they now have less trust in Christie following the latest news, but the majority said their trust in Christie hasn't changed. Still, more than 50 percent claim he hasn't been completely honest regarding what he knows about the situation. New Jersey residents have come to accept that these kinds of situations "come with the territory," according to Murray.

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