A World Without Bridgegate

In 2014, it was discovered that political appointees and staff members of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie had conspired to shut down two of the three lanes on the George Washington bridge. The ensuing chaos caused massive gridlock, with the incident being described by Fort Lee's political officials as a massive public safety threat. Many people implicated in the scandal were tried, some even sent to prison for their actions. While Governor Christie himself was never charged or implicated in the scandal, the public, nevertheless, saw that he was not being fully honest about his true role in what has now been declared as, "Bridgegate." As a result, one of the most popular governors in the country, and seemingly the front runner for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, became one of the most reviled Republicans in recent memory. His approval fell to below 20%, and his attempted presidential campaign failed after poor showing in both Iowa and New Hampshire.

However, what if Fort Lee's mayor, Mark Sikolach, had endorsed Christie in the 2013 New Jersey gubernatorial election, given that his refusal in OTL was the reason for the bridge closure in the first place? Could A World Without Bridgegate possibly lead to Christie's election as President of the United States in 2016? Let's find out!

Differences from OTL

 * First, Mark Sikolach, Mayor of Fort Lee, endorses Chris Christie prior to the 2013 New Jersey gubernatorial election, as many Democrats statewide had done. As a result, Christie's staff does not plan the bridge closure as political retribution.
 * Christie begins raising his national profile throughout the years following his reelection. He focuses on the failures of the Obama administration, and is able to win over many Republicans, disillusioned Democrats, and independents with his ideas and policy plans.
 * While Trump still runs in this timeline, the Billy Bush tapes are released shortly after the Iowa caucus instead of the day before the second presidential debate. This deeply hurts he Trump campaign, and he is forced to drop out shortly after the New Hampshire primary. While he takes some time to come around, he eventually endorses Christie and speaks at the 2016 RNC.
 * Obama's approval rating does not rise above 50% again as it did in early 2016 OTL. The fear of Trump as President does not convince voters that they would miss Obama after he is gone, as the stagnating economy that occurs of the last two and a half years of his presidency hurts him politically. As a result, he is seen as a mediocre President who was rather underwhelming in the end.