Former Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, a prominent critic of former President Donald Trump, announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race on Wednesday, delivering a stern warning about Trump’s influence on the nation. The announcement took place at an event in New Hampshire, where Christie addressed a gathering of fewer than 100 voters, emphasizing his commitment to truth in politics.
Christie stated, “If we want to change this party, and if we want to change this country, it’s hard work. It’s not easy,” underscoring his dedication to honesty in his political endeavors. He expressed a preference for truthfulness even if it meant losing, rather than winning through deception. The former governor asserted that preventing Trump from becoming president again was more important than his personal ambition.
While not endorsing any specific candidate as he exited the race, Christie’s departure may impact the remaining Republican contenders. Political analysts suggest that his exit could potentially benefit former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who has been gaining ground against Trump in New Hampshire polls. However, Christie, caught on a hot mic, expressed skepticism about Haley’s chances, stating she is “going to get smoked.”
In his remarks, Christie took a direct shot at Haley, referencing Benjamin Franklin’s words and drawing parallels with the relevance of those words during the Civil War. He criticized Haley for not acknowledging slavery as a cause of the Civil War in a previous instance, highlighting a point of contention between them.
While some Republican leaders, including Haley, acknowledged Christie’s hard-fought campaign, others, like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, appeared critical. DeSantis echoed Christie’s sentiment about Haley’s chances, stating that he agrees with Christie that Nikki Haley is “going to get smoked.” Former President Trump, in response to Christie’s exit, hinted at a potential reconciliation, stating on his Truth Social platform, “I hear Chris Christie is dropping out of the race today — I might even get to like him again!”
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy welcomed the news, stating “better late than never.” Former GOP presidential candidate Will Hurd, who endorsed Haley, praised Christie’s decision, emphasizing his concern for the country’s future and the need to move beyond the divisive figures of Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
Christie’s decision to withdraw came after he previously asserted his commitment to being the leading voice against Trump. Just a day before his announcement, he declared in New Hampshire that he intended to stay in the race to challenge Trump and criticized Haley for not taking a strong stance against the former president.
Despite starting as a low-polling candidate, Christie set himself apart by consistently criticizing Trump’s presidency and criminal indictments. In debates, he confronted Trump for not participating on stage with other candidates, advocated for mental health resources, rejected a federal abortion ban, supported action on climate change, and backed additional aid to Ukraine and Israel.
As Christie exits the presidential race, the Republican landscape undergoes shifts, leaving room for speculation about the potential impact on the remaining candidates and the dynamics leading up to the 2024 election.