New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie
1. Christopher James Christie was born on Sept. 6, 1962, in Newark, N.J., to Bill, an accountant, and Sondra Christie, who worked for the local school district. He is the eldest of three children and was raised in Livingston, N.J.
2. Christie was student body president during his senior year at the University of Delaware. He graduated in 1984 with a political science degree.
3. He married Mary Pat Foster in 1986. The couple attended the University of Delaware together and became engaged shortly after Christie graduated. They have two sons and two daughters.
4. Christie graduated from Seton Hall University School of Law, in Newark, N.J., in 1987.
5. After graduating from law school, Christie joined the New Jersey firm Dughi, Hewit & Palatucci, practicing corporate securities and election law. He was made partner in 1993 at the age of 31.
6. Christie was elected as a Morris County freeholder in 1994. After the campaign, he was sued by his opponents for libel over a television campaign ad and settled out of court. Christie became freeholder director in 1997 but lost re-election later that year.
7. Christie worked on President George W. Bush's first presidential campaign as its New Jersey attorney and a fundraiser.
8. In 2002, Christie was appointed U.S. attorney for New Jersey.
9. Christie defeated Democratic incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine in the 2009 governor's race, despite being greatly outspent.
10. Shortly after taking office, Christie announced a budget plan which cut funding to schools and put him at odds with teachers' unions.
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Rich of CA 2:55PM May 24, 2011
Gerard Iannelli of NJ 2:36PM March 15, 2011
Peter Talbot of NJ 1:53PM March 15, 2011