Livingston High School didn't want to host Chris Christie's presidential announcement

(Image credit: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

published 30 June 2015

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is announcing his bid for the presidency today at his old high school, Livingston High in New Jersey. While having a high-profile politician making news at his alma mater might seem like a boon for the school's popularity, some teachers, as well as the school district's superintendent, are less than thrilled by his venue choice.

"All this guy's done since day one is denigrate hardworking teachers," a Livingston High School teacher, Anthony Rosamilia, told the Philadelphia Inquirer, referring to Christie's very-public battles with teachers unions in the Garden State.

"I don't think it's any secret that most of my political and educational views are about 180 degrees from the governor's," Livingston School District's interim superintendent, Jim O'Neill, said. O'Neill refused to attend the announcement, telling the Inquirer that he'd "watch it on the news later, like most people." He only agreed to let the school act as a host for the event out of an "obligation" to the governor, he said.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Explore More

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.

Subscribe to The Week

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox