Christie vows to stay in the race despite Sununu’s suggestion
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has responded to New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu’s endorsement of Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Christie made it clear that he is not dropping out of the race, stating, “I’m not going anywhere, so let’s be really clear about that.” Christie’s comments came after a town hall meeting in Londonderry, New Hampshire, where he faced questions from reporters. Meanwhile, Sununu continues to campaign alongside Haley after endorsing her the previous evening.
Haley’s Rise in the Polls
Haley, who has been steadily rising in the polls, is currently in second place in New Hampshire. However, she still trails behind former President Trump, who remains the front-runner for the GOP nomination. Christie, who is placing all his bets on New Hampshire, stands in third place, a few points behind Haley.
Disappointment and Downplaying the Endorsement
Christie expressed disappointment at not receiving Sununu’s endorsement, but he downplayed its significance. He stated, “I would have been happy to accept his support. But in the end, these voters are not going to be told by anybody who to vote for.” Christie emphasized that the endorsement does not change his strategy, and he will continue to focus on winning over New Hampshire voters.
Sununu’s Controversial Comments
After endorsing Haley, Sununu suggested that Christie, along with other Republican candidates, should drop out of the race. However, Christie strongly disagreed with Sununu’s comments, stating, “It’s not his job to tell anybody when to get out. That’s an individual choice to make.” Christie also expressed his disappointment with the way he learned about the endorsement, finding out online rather than through direct communication.
Christie Takes Aim at Haley
During the town hall meeting, Christie criticized Haley’s stance on abortion, referring to her answers as “word salad.” He accused her of “political pandering” and emphasized the importance of voters knowing where she stands on the issue. Christie stated, “It’s too important an issue, it’s too personal an issue, and it’s too serious an issue to not answer it directly.”
The Impact of Sununu’s Endorsement
Sununu’s endorsement of Haley was a setback for both Christie and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. However, DeSantis is focusing his efforts on Iowa, while Christie is determined to make a strong finish in New Hampshire. Veteran Republican strategist Matthew Bartlett highlighted the significance of Sununu’s endorsement, stating that it makes it nearly impossible for Christie to secure the nomination, particularly if New Hampshire was his primary state. Despite this setback, Christie remains committed to campaigning in New Hampshire.
Endorsements: Hype or Game-Changer?
State Representative Wayne MacDonald, who heads Christie’s steering committee in New Hampshire, remarked that endorsements are nice but do not necessarily determine the outcome of the race. MacDonald stated, “With all due respect to Gov. Sununu, I don’t think this is a game-changer.” Neil Levesque, the executive director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Christie will continue to campaign and seek votes in the state.
In the ever-evolving world of politics, endorsements play a role but do not guarantee success. Christie’s determination to stay in the race, despite Sununu’s endorsement of Haley, underscores his belief in his own campaign and his commitment to winning over New Hampshire voters.
