Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Suspended His Presidential Campaign in Windham, New Hampshire
At 5 p.m. today, former New Jersey Governor and Republican Presidential Candidate Chris Christie hosted a town hall event at Searles School and Chapel in Windham, New Hampshire, and suspended his campaign.
“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 said.
Prior to his withdrawal from the race, Christie ranked third among Republicans in New Hampshire primary polls at 11.6%, and had maintained an anti-Trump stance — unlike his peers — consistently expressing his concerns with another Trump term, that he feels, will threaten U.S. democracy in the long run. He acknowledged those in attendance who were surprised, although made a promise that he would do everything in his power to keep Trump out of office, sticking true to the message promoted in his past seven months of campaigning.
“I want to promise you this. I’m going to make sure that in no way do I enable Donald Trump to ever be president of the United States again. And that’s more important than my own personal ambition,” said Christie.
To an engaged, and in part, surprised town hall, Christie claimed that any candidates who see Donald Trump as fit to potentially take office, are unfit for office themselves. He told voters tonight that he’s known Trump for 22 years, and Trump will choose himself each time over the well-being of the American people.
“Imagine just for a moment if 9/11 had happened with Donald Trump behind the desk,” Christie said. “The first thing he would do is run to the bunker to protect himself. He would put himself first before this country.”
Former Gov. Christie also explained how he “watched the other candidates arguing with each other as if the race was between us [Republicans] pretending as if the guy who’s in front [Trump] and wasn’t there, wasn’t to be spoken about. Like Voldemort in the Harry Potter books, ‘he who shall not be named.’ Because, they fear that bringing up his name will make him appear with his magical, mystical powers to end their political careers. So they say ridiculous things, make ridiculous points.”
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley took to X to commend Christie and his hard work after the town hall. But, moments before the town hall began, Christie was heard on a hot microphone bashing her by saying “she’s going to get smoked, and you and I both know it,” and that “she’s not up to this.” He also said that Haley has spent $68 million on TV advertising alone.
Christie included Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in this discussion, and said he was “petrified,” and likely to drop out after the Iowa debate. He added that DeSantis has spent $57 million on TV advertising.
Tonight, Christie did not endorse any candidates, but rather shared that he and his beliefs were here to stay, and he would use his political platform against Trump and polarizing Republicans.
“The selfish leadership who puts their own ambition first isn’t doing for our country anymore. We need to change that. And every election is an opportunity to change it,” he said.
David Pomerantz is an undergraduate student at Columbia University who was in attendance at the town hall event in Windham, New Hampshire. Moving forward, he sees himself voting for Nikki Haley.
“At this point, all he [Christie] was going to do is take away votes that could have otherwise gone to Haley, who seems like the more viable option,” Pomerantz said. “I think it’s a really bad thing for the country if it’s a Trump, Biden race. Probably the ugliest campaign of modern times. So, I hope we could see something exciting in New Hampshire, and I think that’s what Christie’s exit could lead to.