Chris Christie got into an argument with a constituent on Election Day

Nick Corasaniti/New York Times

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

• New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie mocked a constituent on Election Day.
• The governor has been outspoken in office, often telling his constituents off.
• He leaves office with record low approval ratings.

On the day New Jersey elects a new governor, current Gov. Chris Christie fell into an old habit that has come to define his governorship - mocking a constituent.

New York Times reporter Nick Corasaniti captured an interaction on Tuesday between the outgoing governor and a constituent who was upset that the governor hadn't attempted to merge the constituent's township.

"It's easier to sit here and complain," Christie said to the constituent. "But you know what? That's the joy of public service. It's serving folks... like you that is really such a unique joy. It really is. You're fabulous."

Watch the clip:

The outgoing New Jersey governor once told a heckler upset at the pace of Hurricane Sandy relief efforts to "sit down and shut up," and earlier this year called someone who called into a radio show he was on a "communist" and a "bum."

While once valued for his brash outspokenness, the New Jersey public has now soured on Christie.

He has clocked the lowest approval rating of New Jersey governors, with one poll showing his approval at 14% among likely voters in-state.

Indeed, Republican gubernatorial candidate Kim Guadagno has attempted to distance herself from the unpopular Republican incumbent.