New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie got testy with a voter outside his hometown polling place Tuesday, telling her “It’s serving folks like you that’s really a unique joy” when the woman asked about a local political issue.
“You’re fabulous,” Christie said sarcastically when his constituent questioned why he didn’t push harder for the merger of their community, Mendham Township, with neighboring Mendham Borough.
Christie, who is leaving office after eight years with record low approval ratings, claimed that in the first place, “As governor, I can’t. I don’t have the authority to do it.”
When the woman wouldn’t back down, he responded, “I understand you’re so frustrated,’’ then added, “The easiest thing in the world is to stand where you stand, stand on the sidelines, and critique.
“You want to merge Mendham Township and Mendham Borough, run for the township committee,’’ he said.
When the woman protested, Christie retorted, “’Cause that’s too hard. It’s easier to sit here and complain.”
Christie has been a proponent of the towns’ merger, which backers see as a way to consolidate costs, including those involving emergency services and schools.
“I live in Mendham Township, and right next door is Mendham Borough. Why isn’t it just Mendham? Why do we have two administrations, two of everything?” he said in 2010, according to the New York Times.
New Jersey voters headed to the polls Tuesday to pick Christie’s successor.
The race is being seen by many political pundits as a referendum on Christie’s two terms.
Democrat Phil Murphy, a former President Obama ambassador to Germany, is the favorite against Christie’s Republican lieutenant governor, Kim Guadagno.
But Christie refused to back the notion that outcome will be a reflection on him.
“This is not an election about me no matter what,’’ he told reporters Tuesday. “If Kim wins, it’s not an affirmation of my eight years. And if Phil Murphy wins, it’s not a rejection.
“My referendum was four years ago. I got 61 percent of the vote four years ago. I’m happy to stand on that. I’ll see if anybody beats that record any time soon.”
Asked about his future plans, Christie replied, “I haven’t really made any yet.’’