Christie reveals more about what he plans to do after leaving office
Updated: Jan. 16, 2019, 6:59 p.m. | Published: Dec. 07, 2016, 6:24 p.m.
By Matt Arco | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
New Jersey National Guard Military Review
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
(Ed Murray/NJ Advance Media)
BELLE MEAD -- Gov. Chris Christie revealed Wednesday he plans to focus some of his time on drug addiction and recovery efforts after he leaves office in January 2018.
The governor described his desire to remain active with non-profit organizations that treat people fighting drug addiction. He made the comment during an hour-long roundtable discussion at such a facility, Carrier Clinic.
"There is treatment available to be able to treat the disease," Christie said.
Since ending his failed bid for president, the governor has said he plans to return to the private sector after his second term expires.
Privately, however, he has been lobbying President-elect Donald Trump's transition team to be tapped as chairman of the Republican National Committee, multiple sources with knowledge of the transition planning confirmed to NJ Advance Media.
Christie's appearance in Somerset County on Wednesday has been part of a recent uptick of stops he's made around the state for various public events.
But Christie, whose downward slump in approval ratings has made him one of the most unpopular governors in New Jersey's modern history, has continued to balk at taking any questions.
"No. Absolutely not," Christie bristled when a reporter asked as he walked out of Carrier Clinic if he would take any questions.
The governor hasn't held an open question-and-answer session with reporters since before the start of the Bridgegate criminal trial, which ended earlier this month with two of his former associates being found guilty on nine federal charges.
Since then, he's given only two radio interviews with friendly hosts and an interview about the Bridgegate verdicts to Charlie Rose.
Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or on Facebook.