Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie officially announced on Wednesday evening that he is ending his long-shot 2024 presidential campaign.
“My goal has never been to be just a voice against the hate and division and the selfishness of what our party has become under Donald Trump,” Christie said at a town hall in New Hampshire.
“I’ve always said that if there came a point in time in this race where I couldn’t see a path to accomplishing that goal, that I would get out,” he added. “And it’s clear to me tonight that there isn’t a path for me to win the nomination, which is why I’m suspending my campaign tonight for president of the United States.”
Christie’s exit portends to boost the candidacies of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, who have emerged as the two main alternatives to former President Donald Trump.
It was not clear whether Christie would be immediately endorsing one of his rivals, but The Associated Press reported that he was overheard criticizing former U Haley on a livestream set up by his campaign ahead of the event.
“She’s going to get smoked,” he said. “She’s not up to this.” Christie added that DeSantis called him, petrified he would endorse Haley, but the hot mic was cut before Christie finished speaking.
Christie faced pressure in recent days to end his bid to help boost Haley in New Hampshire, a state where she has focused her campaign resources.
He previously sought the Republican nomination in 2016 but dropped out of the race after he finished sixth in the New Hampshire primary and endorsed Trump.
Christie then helmed Trump’s transition team and later on became a close adviser to the former president. He was floated as a potential appointment to a number of administration jobs, including that of Vice President, though none ever materialized.
Following Trump’s defeat and attempt to overturn the 2020 election, Christie turned on him and sought to establish himself as one of Trump’s chief Republican critics.
He leaves the race with under 4% support in the polls, for fifth place, according to the RealClearPolitics average of national GOP polls.
Other candidates who have dropped out of the Republican presidential race are Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), who dropped out in mid-November, and former Vice President Mike Pence who withdrew in late October.