Trump critic Chris Christie drops out of US presidential race

Under pressure due to poor poll numbers and lack of support, the former New Jersey governor has ended his flailing bid for the Republican nomination

Christie, an ex-Trump ally, had sought to position himself as the only Republican contender willing to go toe-to-toe with his former boss

2-MIN READ2-MIN

Republican US presidential candidate Chris Christie addresses a gathering during a campaign event in Concord, New Hampshire, in July. Photo: AP

Published: 6:51am, 11 Jan 2024

Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie ended his flailing bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination on Wednesday, after failing to garner support for a campaign centred on criticism of the policies and character of front runner Donald Trump.

Christie dropped out just days before the first Republican nominating contest in Iowa. Christie had the support of just 2 per cent of Republicans in a nationwide Reuters/Ipsos poll completed on Tuesday – the same level of support as former US congresswoman Liz Cheney, who never declared herself a candidate.

Trump holds a big lead in the contest to be the party’s nominee against US President Joe Biden in November’s election, according to the Reuters/Ipsos poll. The poll put him on 49 per cent, ahead of former UN ambassador Nikki Haley at 12 per cent and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on 11 per cent.

DeSantis and Haley are vying to be the clear alternative to Trump and the backing of the 2 per cent who supported Christie could help them on their way.

Republican presidential candidates (from left) Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley and Chris Christie are seen on stage after a Republican presidential primary debate in Miami in November. Photo: AP

Christie told a town hall event in New Hampshire that he no longer saw a path forward for his campaign.

Republican strategist John Feehery said Christie dropping out might help Haley in New Hampshire, which will hold the second nominating contest later this month, because many Christie voters are likely to switch to her. But he said he could not see it helping her significantly in other nominating states.