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| Chris Christie appoints ethics chief and ombudsman to administration | Chris Christie appoints ethics chief and ombudsman to administration |
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| New Jersey Governor Chris Christie appointed an ethics chief and ombudsman to his administration this week, before traveling to Iowa to headline a Republican Governors Association event that is being seen as an attempt to jump-start his stalled presidential ambitions. | New Jersey Governor Chris Christie appointed an ethics chief and ombudsman to his administration this week, before traveling to Iowa to headline a Republican Governors Association event that is being seen as an attempt to jump-start his stalled presidential ambitions. |
| Speaking at the RGA event, an organization he leads, is considered Christie’s most public re-entry to the 2016 Republican presidential field since he faced questions about top advisors using lane closures on the George Washington Bridge for apparent political payback. | Speaking at the RGA event, an organization he leads, is considered Christie’s most public re-entry to the 2016 Republican presidential field since he faced questions about top advisors using lane closures on the George Washington Bridge for apparent political payback. |
| The ethics chief’s position grew out of the same scandal. Christie hired attorneys to investigate his own administration and the lengthy report that resulted suggested Christie add the position. | The ethics chief’s position grew out of the same scandal. Christie hired attorneys to investigate his own administration and the lengthy report that resulted suggested Christie add the position. |
| Christie appointed Heather Taylor to the ethics post, a move first reported by WNYC, and Patrick Hobbs as an ombudsman to guide Taylor’s office. Taylor will receive $115,000 per year for her work. She worked in the corruption bureau of the New Jersey attorney general’s office since 2013. | Christie appointed Heather Taylor to the ethics post, a move first reported by WNYC, and Patrick Hobbs as an ombudsman to guide Taylor’s office. Taylor will receive $115,000 per year for her work. She worked in the corruption bureau of the New Jersey attorney general’s office since 2013. |
| Hobbs is the dean of the Seton Hall law school in Newark, New Jersey. Hobbs won't be just Taylor's boss – he also oversees her husband, Erik Lillquist, who is vice-dean at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. | |
| Notably, this is not the first ethics panel Christie has created. The advisory ethics panel serves Christie after an executive order was issued in April 2010, in an effort to address promises the governor made as a candidate to clarify New Jersey's campaign finance law. The panel is staffed with personal donors to Christie's campaign. | Notably, this is not the first ethics panel Christie has created. The advisory ethics panel serves Christie after an executive order was issued in April 2010, in an effort to address promises the governor made as a candidate to clarify New Jersey's campaign finance law. The panel is staffed with personal donors to Christie's campaign. |
| “Executive order 24 is only the beginning of our efforts to increase transparency and accountability in government," Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak said at the time, according to local media. "Just as the governor promised during his campaign, we are in the process of proposing legislation that would expand specific disclosures and extend the disclosure requirements to legislators." | “Executive order 24 is only the beginning of our efforts to increase transparency and accountability in government," Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak said at the time, according to local media. "Just as the governor promised during his campaign, we are in the process of proposing legislation that would expand specific disclosures and extend the disclosure requirements to legislators." |
| The reforms included some new requirements, but withdrew others, discontinuing financial disclosure requirements from members of two transportation planning authorities and New Jersey’s subway system known as the PATH, according to the Gannett state bureau at the time. | The reforms included some new requirements, but withdrew others, discontinuing financial disclosure requirements from members of two transportation planning authorities and New Jersey’s subway system known as the PATH, according to the Gannett state bureau at the time. |
| The panel’s stated purpose was to advise the governor, “regarding conflicts issues, application of the Governor's Code of Conduct, and any other related matter.” It’s two appointed members are John J Degnan and Richard S Mroz. | The panel’s stated purpose was to advise the governor, “regarding conflicts issues, application of the Governor's Code of Conduct, and any other related matter.” It’s two appointed members are John J Degnan and Richard S Mroz. |
| Degnan was one of several advisors who suggested Governor James McGreevey create the panel in 2003. Degnan’s wife, listed as a homemaker, donated $1,500 to Christie in September 2009. After decades as a Democratic donor, Degnan donated $2,500 to Christie’s in August 2013. | |
| Degnan was appointed head of the Port Authority last week, and is a former attorney general for a Democratic governor. | Degnan was appointed head of the Port Authority last week, and is a former attorney general for a Democratic governor. |
| Mroz, a Republican donor since 1991, gave Christie $3,400 in February 2009 and $8,200 total over four years. Not including donations to Christie, Mroz has given $53,550 to state Republican candidates or committees. In addition to the Advisory Ethics Panel, he now serves on the Delaware River and Bay Authority, a dual state agency with New Jersey and Delaware, after being nominated by Christie in July 2012. | Mroz, a Republican donor since 1991, gave Christie $3,400 in February 2009 and $8,200 total over four years. Not including donations to Christie, Mroz has given $53,550 to state Republican candidates or committees. In addition to the Advisory Ethics Panel, he now serves on the Delaware River and Bay Authority, a dual state agency with New Jersey and Delaware, after being nominated by Christie in July 2012. |
| Christie will travel to Davenport to speak at An Evening at the Fair, a fundraiser for the Republican Governor of Iowa, Terry Branstad. It’s one of four events Christie’s attending in the midwestern state. He’ll also fundraise for the RGA in Waukee, in Cedar Rapids he'll speak to donors for the Republican Iowa House speaker, and, in Marion, Christie will join Branstad to meet patrons of MJ’s Restaurant. | Christie will travel to Davenport to speak at An Evening at the Fair, a fundraiser for the Republican Governor of Iowa, Terry Branstad. It’s one of four events Christie’s attending in the midwestern state. He’ll also fundraise for the RGA in Waukee, in Cedar Rapids he'll speak to donors for the Republican Iowa House speaker, and, in Marion, Christie will join Branstad to meet patrons of MJ’s Restaurant. |
| Christie has regained some support among Iowa voters since the Bridgegate scandal first broke, though he still trails former secretary of state Hillary Clinton by eight points, in a recent Quinnipiac University poll. | Christie has regained some support among Iowa voters since the Bridgegate scandal first broke, though he still trails former secretary of state Hillary Clinton by eight points, in a recent Quinnipiac University poll. |
| “Things are getting a bit better in Iowa for New Jersey Governor Christopher Christie," said Peter A Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac Poll. “But the Republican contender, who was ahead of secretary of state Hillary Clinton in Iowa before 'Bridgegate' took him down several pegs, still has a ways to go.” | “Things are getting a bit better in Iowa for New Jersey Governor Christopher Christie," said Peter A Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac Poll. “But the Republican contender, who was ahead of secretary of state Hillary Clinton in Iowa before 'Bridgegate' took him down several pegs, still has a ways to go.” |
| Christie ties former Florida Governor Jeb Bush for a third place among possible Republican presidential contenders. Rand Paul leads the group, but is still six points behind Clinton. | Christie ties former Florida Governor Jeb Bush for a third place among possible Republican presidential contenders. Rand Paul leads the group, but is still six points behind Clinton. |