New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) was spotted soaking up the sun at a public beach on Sunday, despite its closure due to a budget stand-off between him and the state’s legislature.
The state government, including all state-run beaches, shut down on Friday at midnight. But photographs published by NJ Advance Media showed Christie and his family at a state-owned beach house on Island Beach State Park.
We flew a plane over the Shore today and look who we found! https://t.co/CCvntR5Xj1
— Kevin Whitmer (@kevinwhitmer) July 2, 2017
At a press briefing Sunday, Christie said “I didn’t get any sun today,” responding to a reporter’s question, according to NJ.com.
Later, after being made aware of the photos, Christie’s spokesman said the governor had visited the beach, and then delivered a line for the ages.
“He did not get any sun,” Brian Murray said. “He had a baseball hat on.”
On Monday, WTXF-TV asked Christie about the public outcry over the photos.
“I’m sorry they’re not the governor,” he said.
Christie followed up in a tweet on Monday, emphasizing that local beaches remained open:
NJ beaches are open in 119 of our our 130 miles of coastline. Come and enjoy them–but use sunscreen and hydrate! pic.twitter.com/7LeCYcjZqm
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) July 3, 2017
Even New Jersey’s Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno (R), the GOP nominee to replace Christie in this year’s election, piled on:
It’s beyond words. If I were gov, sure wouldn’t be sitting on beach if taxpayers didn’t have access to state beaches https://t.co/VBtBpoUUkv
— Kim Guadagno (@KimGuadagnoNJ) July 3, 2017
This shutdown is bad for business. @BumRogersTavern at the entrance to Island Beach State Park would be full right now if IBSP was open. pic.twitter.com/pX0Mskk4gZ
— Kim Guadagno (@KimGuadagnoNJ) July 3, 2017
This post has been updated.
Wow, a beached whale in a folding chair…amazing!
Oh, cheez, think about if Bill and Hillary had done this. Or the Obamas.
LOCK 'EM UP!!!
Krispey Kreme and his family? Meh!
ETA: Can’t believe he actually claimed to have “not got any sun” because of wearing a baseball hat. Criminelly. Just when you think it can’t get any stooopider.
Dear New Jersey. Why is this man your Governor?
Reports of Christie dozing in a nearby meadow have been confirmed.