116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Candidate bio: Chris Christie
-- Age: 53Born: Newark, N.J.Work: New Jersey governorCollege: University of Delaware, Seton Hall University School of LawWebsite: chrischristie.com
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The tough-talking, combative politician was born and bred in the state he governs: New Jersey.
He first got involved in politics as a teenager, volunteering in the campaign of Republican Gov. Thomas Kean, an early mentor.
He had a stint as a county legislator and campaigned for Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. The latter appointed him U.S. attorney for New Jersey, a position he held from 2002 to 2008. In 2009, he defeated incumbent John Corzine to become the state's governor and handily won re-election to a second four-year term in 2013. He was seen as a presidential possible in 2012 but waited till 2015 to seek the office.
While attending classes at the University of Delaware, he met his wife, Mary Pat Foster. They married in 1986 and have four children — Andrew, Patrick, Sarah and Bridget. Christie is a big fan of his state's most famous rock star — Bruce Springsteen — and the Dallas Cowboys football team.
Potential GOP presidential candidate New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie answers an audience question during a town hall meeting at the Iowa Startup Accelerator in Cedar Rapids on Friday, June 12, 2015. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)
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