Politics & Government

Christie Visits the Ironbound for Bipartisan Campaign Stop

Governor was escorted by a few of the Democrats who endorsed him earlier this year.

Gov. Chris Christie campaigned in the Ironbound Tuesday, accompanied by a few of the prominent Essex County Democrats who earlier this year crossed party lines to support the popular Republican in his November re-election bid.  

Christie, who was born in Newark, grew up in nearby Livingston and spent much time here while working as US Attorney for New Jersey under President George W. Bush, characterized his visit Tuesday as something of a homecoming.  

“It is great to be back home,” Christie said as he stood alongside Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo and Sheriff Armando Fontoura in Iberia’s, the popular Ferry Street restaurant, according to a report in PolitickerNJ.

Find out what's happening in Newarkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Governor Christie has put us on the map nationally, where they’re talking about us,” DiVincenzo was quoted saying. “For the last 11 years we have used the slogan, ‘Putting Essex First.’ Governor Christie has been putting New Jersey first. He’s been there for the towns and the 800,000 people that I represent. This is the first time I crossed over.”

This is the second time this year the Ironbound -- which, like the rest of the city, leans heavily Democratic -- served as a campaign stop for a gubernatorial candidate. Mayor Cory Booker accompanied Christie’s challenger, Barbara Buono, during a tour of the Portuguese-Brazilian neighborhood several months ago.

Find out what's happening in Newarkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

While Christie’s stop in one of Newark’s most famous quarters may not budge his numbers much at the ballot box, there's a good chance it won’t matter -- polling for several months has consistently showed Christie with a huge lead over any Democratic challenger, including Buono, a state senator from Middlesex County.



Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here