Three Democratic Teaneck Council Members Endorse Christie

Gov. Chris Christie picked up endorsements from three Democratic Teaneck councilmen at a campaign stop in the township’s West Englewood area Tuesday afternoon.

Councilmen Elie Y. Katz, Yitz Stern and Mark Schwartz were among the campaign’s new Jewish Leaders for Christie coalition, the Republican governor’s campaign announced.

Christie was greeted by crowds as he strolled West Englewood Avenue, stopping in local businesses and chatting with voters amid the neighborhood’s busy pre-Rosh Hashanah shopping day.

Several people chanted “we love Christie” and one woman told the governor she hoped he would run for President.

“While I may not agree with him on everything...what impresses me about the last three and a half years is that he’s willing to talk openly and candidly, without beating around the bush, about how he feels on something,” Stern said as he introduced Christie.

The councilman pointed to what he said was Christie's support of issues important to the Jewish community, including "tuition affordability" for non-public schools. 

Katz said the endorsement was not about party politics. 

"Teaneck is non-partisan. I’m supportive of candidates who want to help reduce the tax burden for our residents," he said. 

After meeting several merchants, Christie called for the need to lower taxes and limit regulation of businesses.

“It’s obvious exciting things are happening in Teaneck and we want more of that,” he said in remarks outside Gotham Burger on Queen Anne Road.

Although recent polling from FDU shows Christie leading Democratic opponent Sen. Barbara Buono by a wide margin, the governor said he would campaign hard for a second term.

The endorsements in Teaneck brought the number of Democrat elected officials backing Christie’s reelection bid to 48. In a statement, his campaign touted Tuesday’s endorsements from heavily-Democratic Teaneck, home to one of Christie’s most outspoken critics Sen. Loretta Weinberg.

A handful of protesters were on hand for the governor’s arrival, holding signs critical of his positions on gun control and school funding.