Christie’s beach chair moment still echoes years after viral shutdown photo
TOMS RIVER, N.J. — On this day, the now-infamous photo of then-Gov. Chris Christie lounging in a beach chair on a taxpayer-funded beach closed to the public during a government shutdown continues to stand as one of the most viral political images in New Jersey history.
The image, captured by photojournalist Andrew Mills of NJ Advance Media, showed Christie and his family enjoying Island Beach State Park on the Fourth of July weekend. At the time, a government shutdown ordered by Christie had closed the park — and all state beaches — to the public.
“This is an example of very good photojournalism. This is where the fourth estate shines,” Mills said after the photos made national headlines.
The shutdown followed a budget standoff in Trenton, with Christie and the legislature unable to reach an agreement by the July 1 deadline.
As the state moved into crisis mode, NJ Advance Media mobilized its newsroom for full coverage. Mills was assigned to aerial photography, a role he frequently filled, and noticed the governor’s helicopter on the tarmac during a conversation with a flight service.
Though his editors were initially hesitant about sending him up on July 2, Mills trusted his instincts and launched the flight, capturing the shots that would soon flood front pages and social media feeds.
Christie had told reporters earlier in the week that he would be using the governor’s residence, which is located on the state park grounds, and brushed off criticism by saying, “Run for governor, and you can have a residence there.”
The photo drew national attention and backlash, underscoring Christie’s already declining approval ratings. Despite Christie’s defense, the image — a solitary politician on an empty public beach — became a lasting symbol of political tone-deafness and public frustration.