In 1997, after three tumultuous years as freeholder—in which he was again sued, this time by an architect hired to design a new jail in Morris County—Christie was due for re-election. Republicans in Morris County were eager to push Christie out of the seat they believed he had obtained unfairly. They enlisted another Republican to primary Christie. “Everywhere I go,” one of Christie’s opponents was quoted as saying, “Chris is the issue.”
Cissy Laureys was intent on seeking revenge, and entered the race, releasing a series of advertisements reminding voters of Christie’s court-disapproved tactics. They read, “Is Chris Christie Really Sorry … Or Just Sorry He Keeps Getting Sued?”
Come primary day, Christie finished dead last, taking his running mate down with him. Laureys regained her seat. “When someone takes away your reputation, it’s something you never get back,” she said. “Republican voters of Morris County not only put me back in office, but they restored my good name.”
Christie arrived at the Republicans’ party to make his concession speech. It was an awkward scene, Christie told biographers Bob Ingle and Michael Symons. “[A]s I was walking off the stage, there was a guy standing by the stairs … and as I was walking down the steps, he was making kind of a kissing noise with his lips … And I kind of looked at him and I said, ‘what now, Chuck?’ And he goes, ‘that’s just me kissing your fucking career goodbye.’”
Join the conversation as a VIP Member