OK, you caught us. The Christie Tracker Podcast actually wrapped up back in November of 2016 - after the Bridgegate trial of former Christie staffer, Bridget Anne Kelly and former Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority, Bill Baroni. But because Tuesday, January 16th marks the last day in office for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, we had to temporarily reemerge. We bribed them with hot coffee and free EZ Pass for a month, so WNYC's Matt Katz and Nancy Solomon came back for one more r...
Jan 13, 2018•13 min•Ep. 71
The Bridgegate trial is done. Governor Christie is heading into his last year in office. And the Christie Tracker Podcast is closing up shop. Before we go, our resident Bridgegate-ologists, WNYC's Matt Katz and Andrea Bernstein , join us to answer your questions. Former Christie associates Bridget Kelly and Bill Baroni plan to appeal their guilty verdicts. But the Gov is certainly ready to move on. Speaking about Bridgegate on NJ 101.5's Ask The Governor show this week he said, "I'm DONE with th...
Nov 23, 2016•22 min•Ep. 70
The Trial is done. The guilty verdicts are in. So in an effort to turn the page on this chaotic chapter in New Jersey's history, we present Bridgegatepalooza - - a wrap-up of the political retribution scheme that derailed the rising star of the national Republican party, and ended – we thought – the political future of Chris Christie. Host David Furst is joined by a group of reporters who covered the Bridgegate saga as it unfolded. Shawn Boburg , formerly with the Record now with the Washington ...
Nov 16, 2016•22 min•Ep. 69
After seven weeks, the Bridgegate trial is done and the verdicts are in. Former Chris Christie staffer, Bridget Anne Kelly and Bill Baroni, the former Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority, were found guilty on all counts. Both sides are vowing to appeal. And even though testimony during the trial indicated otherwise, Governor Christie says the jury confirmed everything he has said all along – that he knew nothing about a plot to close lanes at the George Washington Bridge. Meanwhile, ...
Nov 08, 2016•27 min•Ep. 68
Now in week 7, the Bridgegate trial is in the hands of the jury. And so as we wait for verdicts for former Christie staffer Bridget Kelly and former Port Authority appointee Bill Baroni, WNYC's Andrea Bernstein and Matt Katz join us with a few closing arguments of their own. There were a lot of details and characters for the jury to keep track of over the last 6 weeks of testimony. Speaking with host David Furst , Matt and Andrea detail the drama that played out in court when juror questions wer...
Nov 02, 2016•15 min•Ep. 67
Former Christie staffer Bridget Kelly finally hit the stand in week 6 of the Bridgegate Trial. Governor Christie has always maintained that he had no knowledge about the plan - prior to or during the lane closures at the George Washington Bridge. Kelly testified that she told him once before and twice during the 5-day shutdown. She even offered up a counter explanation for her infamous "Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee" email. And Kelly testified that she was afraid of the governor. Sh...
Oct 26, 2016•21 min•Ep. 66
Bill Baroni, the former Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority was on the stand this week in the Bridgegate trial. He, and former Christie staffer Bridget Kelly, are on trial for allegedly orchestrating the lane closures leading to the George Washington Bridge in a scheme to punish the Mayor of Fort Lee for not endorsing Governor Christie's reelection bid. WNYC's Andrea Bernstein and Matt Katz bring us the latest. Speaking with host David Furst , Matt says Baroni's 'basic argument was t...
Oct 19, 2016•18 min•Ep. 65
We're only a third of the way through the Bridgegate trial. Testimony from the prosecution's star witness David Wildstein wrapped up last week. The former port authority official has implicated nearly everyone in Governor Christie's orbit – including Christie and Governor Cuomo. WNYC's Matt Katz and Andrea Bernstein join us to detail the high emotions on display last week and to look forward to the testimonies of former Christie staffer, Bridget Anne Kelly and former Deputy Executive Director of...
Oct 11, 2016•17 min•Ep. 64
It was another busy week in Christie world. Over the past several days, Governor Christie announced a deal to allow a gas tax hike to pay for transportation projects in New Jersey... he called Donald Trump a genius on Fox News Sunday for losing nearly a billion dollars in 1995... and, after a long weekend, former port authority official David Wildstein was back on the stand for week 3 of the Bridgegate trial. WNYC's Matt Katz and Andrea Bernstein and the Star-Ledger's Tom Moran join us with the ...
Oct 05, 2016•20 min•Ep. 63
Week 2 of the Bridgegate trial featured more show-stopping testimony from David Wildstein. The former Port Authority official who has pleaded guilty in the lane closure scandal, said governor Chris Christie knew about the traffic at the George Washington Bridge while it was happening. And, according to Wildstein's testimony, when the governor was informed about the gridlock in Fort Lee – just before a ceremony to honor victims of 9/11, no less – he laughed. WNYC's Matt Katz and Andrea Bernstein ...
Sep 28, 2016•17 min•Ep. 62
The 'Bridgegate trial' has begun for former Christie staffer, Bridget Anne Kelly and Bill Baroni, the former Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority. And Chris Christie's name has been coming up a lot in federal court in Newark. On the very first day, prosecutors came out and said the governor knew about the politically motivated lane closures leading to the George Washington Bridge while they were happening. We kick off season two of the Christie Tracker Podcast: The Bridgegate Trial wi...
Sep 21, 2016•14 min•Ep. 61
We've been on hiatus for a while. But summer break is over. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band wrapped up their tour. Beach season is done. And we got kicked out of the rental in Manasquan. Oh, and the Bridgegate trial is finally underway for former Governor Christie staffer, Bridget Anne Kelly and Bill Baroni, the former Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority. So it was time to reemerge. We're re-launching with a new season of podcasts starting this Wednesday, September 21st. And ...
Sep 19, 2016•1 min•Ep. 60
From Bridgegate to the Chairman’s Flight... and from the scuttling of the ARC Hudson River tunnel project to the precarious finances of state’s depleted transportation trust fund, the Christie administration has been defined by controversy related to travel and transportation. This week, it was revealed that New Jersey taxpayers have shelled out nearly $1.8 million for his Executive Protection Unit when Governor Christie goes out of state. NJPR’s Matt Katz joins host David Furst to discuss what ...
Mar 16, 2016•19 min•Ep. 59
Depending on who you were talking to, it was either the most shocking thing the governor has ever done or not surprising at all. But certainly everyone was talking about it. Chris Christie’s endorsement of Donald Trump sent the political world reeling and had New Jersey residents wondering when they might ever see their governor again. Just over two weeks after suspending his own presidential bid, the governor was back out on the campaign trail – this time working for his buddy, Donald. NJPR’s M...
Mar 02, 2016•21 min•Ep. 58
With Governor Christie out of the presidential race and his budget speech out of the way, the Christie Tracker Podcast is shifting to a bi-weekly schedule. But we've left you with a mashup of Christie-speak from the campaign trail. (See if you can guess which three-letter phrase seemed to pop up more than any other during his TV, town hall and debate appearances.) And join us here next Wednesday, March 2nd. We'll be back with New Jersey Public Radio's Matt Katz and all the latest Christie news. ...
Feb 24, 2016•1 min•Ep. 57
It was the first sight most New Jerseyans had of Chris Christie since he dropped out of the presidential race. The governor was back behind a podium, addressing a joint session of the state legislature. Never one to do anything on a small scale, his annual budget speech provided the perfect vehicle for his return to Jersey politics, full time. For once, Christie had no hybrid title. No "Presidential Candidate" or even "RGA Chairman" to preface his actual job: governor. And this time, his speech ...
Feb 17, 2016•20 min•Ep. 56
Chris Christie has suspended his campaign for the White House. In a statement he said, "I leave the race without an ounce of regret." This week, we look back on his quest to become the next president. And NJPR's Matt Katz explains what went wrong for the Gov in New Hampshire. Christie spent more than 70 days campaigning in the Granite State. He held 76 town hall events there. But in the end, he could only muster a 6th place finish - last among the three remaining governors in the race. Plus: New...
Feb 10, 2016•22 min•Ep. 55
After months of campaigning, primary season just got real. And real ugly for Team Christie. Iowa dealt a major blow to the guy hoping to be the top governor coming out of the caucuses. Instead, he came in 10th overall - and dead last in the governors sweepstakes, behind Bush, Kasich and, yes, Huckabee. Senior Editor for Politics & Policy for WNYC News, Andrea Bernstein and New Jersey Public Radio’s Matt Katz join us to pick up the pieces of the Christie campaign and see if it can be put back...
Feb 03, 2016•19 min•Ep. 54
First, Governor Christie says he’s not coming back to New Jersey. Then, he arrives in time for the winter storm and says he was planning to all along – if the situation demanded his presence. He leaves after less than 40 hours and rushes back to New Hampshire for more campaigning (and a Patriots game). After the storm, he says there’s “no residual flooding damage.” “I don’t know what you expect me to do? You want me to go down there with a mop?” Then, facing criticism, he returns to Jersey and c...
Jan 27, 2016•20 min•Ep. 53
Wait no more, Gov. American Governor: Chris Christie’s Bridge to Redemption is officially on the shelves this week. Back when he inked a deal to write a book about New Jersey’s popular governor, Matt Katz didn't know – and therefore nobody knew – the word Bridgegate. Now, over two years later, Christie is running for president in an entirely changed political landscape. American Governor tells the story of the Governor’s rise, fall and attempted comeback. This week, New Jersey Public Radio's Mat...
Jan 20, 2016•18 min•Ep. 52
He's fighting an uphill presidential campaign and still losing popularity at home, but Governor Christie reminded the state house – and a national audience – of his considerable gifts as a politician. In his annual State of the State speech, he brazenly took credit for saving New Jersey’s economy and railed against Democrats in Trenton for moving ahead with a plan to constitutionally mandate payments into the state pension system. He announced he would dedicate $100 million to help fight substan...
Jan 13, 2016•13 min•Ep. 51
261. That’s how many days Governor Christie spent out of New Jersey in 2015. And according to New Jersey Public Radio’s Matt Katz , “There’s not much really happening in terms of the governance of New Jersey.” As state matters are squeezed between the governor's campaign stops and TV appearances, Matt says Trenton has “basically ground to a halt.” But next week, Christie will take a break from campaigning to appear in Trenton for his annual state of the state speech. As the governor reacquaints ...
Jan 06, 2016•23 min•Ep. 50
Ah, schooldays. Things were different for Chris Christie back at the ol’ University of Delaware. The carefree scamp would spend his days building coalitions while running for president of the student body. He'd relax by fighting to secure an endorsement from the school newspaper. OK. So nothing has changed. By the time he hit college, Christie was already a seasoned vet. This is a guy who was president of his class in 9th, 10th, 11th AND 12th grades. This week, NJPR’s Matt Katz turns back the cl...
Dec 30, 2015•18 min•Ep. 49
In basketball, the head fake can be used to trick a defender. Essentially, you pretend like you're gonna go one way... and then you do something else. It can work in politics too. Like when Governor Christie said he was going to direct the New Jersey Department of Human Services not to participate in the settlement of Syrian refugees. And then? Well, nothing. NJPR's Matt Katz says Christie is a pro at the political head fake. This week, he tells host David Furst about those times when he indicat...
Dec 23, 2015•18 min•Ep. 48
GOP debate #5 is a wrap. Governor Christie was back on the main stage and needed to make the most of this moment. With less than two months to go before the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, it’s getting to be do-or-die time for all candidates not named Trump. Ted Cruz is surging in the polls and Governor Christie may have jumped to second place in New Hampshire, but the brightest glare of the spotlight still shines on orange hair. So how did Christie do? New Jersey Public Radio’s Mat...
Dec 16, 2015•14 min•Ep. 47
The Star-Ledger’s Tom Moran has been locked in a war of words with Grant Bosse , Editorial Page Editor of New Hampshire’s Union Leader , over the paper’s endorsement of Christie. Moran says the Leader didn’t do its homework . Bosse calls The Star-Ledger Christie’s “ crazy ex-girlfriend .” We bring the editors together to debate endorsements and the vetting process. Also: It’s tough to be perfect out there. With dozens of town hall events and TV appearances running back-to-back during this primar...
Dec 09, 2015•22 min•Ep. 46
For months, pundits have been saying that Governor Christie’s presidential aspirations were dead in the water. But lately, whispers about a potential Christie comeback have increased in volume. The argument goes like this: after the terrorist attacks in Paris, everything changed. And Christie, who has long positioned himself as the law-and-order national-security guy, is the candidate primary voters will run to in a time of uncertainty and fear. It still hasn’t really shown up in any polls. But ...
Dec 02, 2015•15 min•Ep. 45
From Governor Christie’s comments about Syrian orphans to Donald Trump’s assertion that he saw thousands cheering in Jersey City on 9/11, New Jersey has become a central part of the national discussion on refugees and terrorism in the aftermath of the Paris attacks. In his response to Trump’s claims about Jersey City, Governor Christie was accused of going easy on the front runner. Instead of issuing a blunt denial that the widely discredited rumor was fiction, Christie said simply, “I do not re...
Nov 25, 2015•22 min•Ep. 44
In the days following the terrorist attacks in Paris , shock and sorrow quickly shifted to outrage and blame on the Republican campaign trail. From Donald Trump saying he would consider closing mosques to calls for religious tests for refugees, candidates seemed to be in a race to out-hawk each other. And Chris Christie was not to be outdone. He sent a letter to President Obama saying he would no longer accept Syrian refugees in New Jersey and told radio host Hugh Hewitt he wouldn’t even allow o...
Nov 18, 2015•22 min•Ep. 43
It’s been a bumpy month on the Christie Campaign Express. At first, things were looking up. There was a good response to his 3rd debate performance, a bump in the polls in New Hampshire, and then a video of him talking compassionately about drug addiction went viral. It seemed like the moment his campaign had been waiting for. Then, the sudden jolt: when he was booted off the main stage for the 4th debate due to low national poll numbers. New Jersey Public Radio's Matt Katz discusses whether Chr...
Nov 11, 2015•19 min•Ep. 42
