testimony former ally new jersey governor chris christie republican know bridgegate traffic scandal go could endanger best chance political future role trump administration christie deny claim active participant plan deliberately create massive traffic jam key bridge new york punish democratic mayor refusal endorse re-election bid piece evidence tie christie close scandal make liability republican presidential contender donald trump new york real estate developer tap governor head transition team every revelation increase odds trump distance christie especially election day get close say julian zelizer professor history public affairs new jersey princeton university christie still serve value trump want compete blue state add point revelations overwhelm sense loyalty perception remain valuable campaign trump campaign spokeswoman immediately respond request comment 53-year-old governor political future already limit new jersey law prevent run third consecutive term next year poll show bridgegate seriously hurt popularity explain part christie hop president quickly tie fortunes trump christie tuesday repeat know lane-closure plan kinds stuff go courtroom newark want really clear something christie tell reporters trenton knowledge prior lane realignments contradict testimony david wildstein former executive port authority new york new jersey federal court newark two ex-christie ally face criminal charge role scandal bridget kelly former deputy chief staff bill baroni close associate former executive port authority trial role 2013 incident christie charge criminally governor peak popularity time step national spotlight tour superstorm sandy-ravaged new jersey shore president barack obama eye white house eager secure endorsements fort lee mayor mark sokolich democratic mayors show politician able forge alliances across party line lane closure generate massive traffic jam george washington bridge national headline take heavy toll christie image draw mockery state favorite son rock star bruce springsteen rutgers-eagleton poll conduct early month find 23 percent state residents hold favorable view christie percentage point year early one-third christie peak popularity february 2013 bridgegate almost wholly contribute downfall see governor say ashley koning director eagleton center public interest poll new jersey rutgers university low popularity make highly unlikely successful another statewide run whether governor 2021 another office say christie bid 2016 republican presidential nomination fail pivot quickly endorse trump embrace support name transition chair may christie would charge help build cabinet trump white house serve liaison outgo obama team christie federal prosecutor new jersey suggest likeliest job trump cabinet would attorney general hard imagine would able win senate confirmation knowledge scheme confirm say brigid callahan harrison professor political science law new jersey montclair state university trump could also pick christie staff role say bill stepien manage christie gubernatorial run adviser trump campaign harrison add know trump may overly cautious affiliate people could damage bridgegate testimony could cut christie 's last political lifeline