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Growing Public Rift At Top Of Christie Administration In NJ

TRENTON, NJ (CBS) -- New Jersey's first Lieutenant Governor has been rarely seen or heard from during her seven year tenure in the Christie Administration. But in the last few weeks, she's publicly differed with Governor Chris Christie on politics and policy.

Kim Guadagno has split with Christie over Donald Trump, the soon to be implemented gas tax hike and, most recently, next month's ballot question that dedicates the gas tax revenue exclusively to the Transportation Trust Fund.

So what's behind it all? Rider University political science professor Ben Dworkin suggests it all comes down to New Jersey politics.

"I think this is the beginning of many more public breaks between the Lieutenant Governor and the Governor," Dworkin told KYW Newsradio.

"This is the nature of having a lame duck Governor and a Lieutenant Governor who is considering her own political future."

What makes things worse are Christie's anemic popularity numbers in just about every poll of voters. Dworkin says Christie is more of a hindrance than a help to any Republican who, like Guadagno, is looking to run for governor next year.

Guadagno has also served as Secretary of State during her term as Lieutenant Governor, overseeing elections in New Jersey. In addition, she's been a liaison between the state and business leaders in promoting commerce.

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