Vocal Donald Trump critic ex-governor Chris Christie files to run for president
A former governor who has loudly criticized ex-President Donald Trump has filed paperwork for a 2024 presidential bid.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, 60, filed his declaration for candidacy for president on Tuesday, setting up another clash with Trump for the GOP nomination.
Christie has cast himself as the candidate who is most willing to attack Trump, who was once a friend. He has also indicated he will be tough on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is coming in second after frontrunner Trump in multiple polls.
Trump’s camp wasted no time in hitting at Christie, who has struggled with his weight, through fat-shaming.
‘Ron DeSantis’ campaign is spiraling, and President Trump’s dominance over the Republican primary field has opened a mad rush to seize the mantle for runner-up,’ stated Karoline Leavitt, spokeswoman of the pro-Trump super PAC Make America Great Again, Inc.
‘Ron DeSantis is not ready for this moment, and Chris Christie will waste no time eating DeSantis’ lunch.’
Christie was set to announce his 2024 campaign in a town hall-esque event in New Hampshire on Tuesday evening.
It is Christie’s second presidential run. The New Jersey native first ran in 2016, when Trump captured the Republican nomination despite being a political outsider.
Christie recently said ‘I am the viable Trump alternative’ and told The Daily Beast he is capable of winning the GOP nomination.
He has called Trump a loser and ripped him for rallying his supporters who partook in the deadly January 6 Capitol riot. Christie has also said that the crowd sizes at Trump’s events are shrinking.
Christie has the backing of a new super PAC of his supporters named Tell It Like It Is.
He served as a US attorney for New Jersey from 2002 to 2009, during which time he prosecuted the father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner on charges of criminal tax evasion and witness tampering. Christie beat a Democratic incumbent for the governor’s seat in 2009.
Christie enters the growing field of Republican candidates a day after Trump’s former vice president Mike Pence filed his paperwork to enter the race.
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