WINDHAM, NH — Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced the suspension of his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination during a town hall in Windham, New Hampshire, just days before the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary. Christie, known for his vocal opposition to former President Donald Trump, acknowledged the lack of a viable path to secure the nomination.
Christie’s campaign, which concentrated efforts primarily in New Hampshire, struggled to gain significant momentum in national and key early nominating state polls. In his announcement, Christie emphasized his commitment to preventing Trump from regaining the presidency, stating, “It’s the right thing for me to do…I am going to make sure that in no way do I enable Donald Trump to ever be president of the United States again.”
His decision follows recent pressure from Republican Governor Chris Sununu, who urged Christie to step aside to allow the non-Trump faction of the party to unite around former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. Sununu, who endorsed Haley in mid-December, has been a pivotal figure in the Republican primaries.
Christie’s exit from the race comes amid heightened tensions within the party, particularly regarding the direction of the GOP and its stance on Trump. His withdrawal and Sununu’s endorsement of Haley signal a significant shift in the Republican field, as candidates and party leaders navigate the complexities of the upcoming primaries.