Chris Christie throws in the towel. The only candidate in the Republican primaries who bluntly criticized Donald Trump announced, Wednesday evening, January 10, “ [suspendre sa] campaign for the presidency of the United States”, a few days before the Iowa caucuses which open the ball in a race ultra-dominated by the former president.
“It is certain tonight that there is no way for me to win the nomination” of the Republican Party for the White House, Mr. Christie realistically declared to his supporters from Windham, in the state of New Hampshire.
Former governor of New Jersey, the 61-year-old was once a supporter of Donald Trump but has since portrayed the billionaire as egocentric and dishonest. “I would be happy to get out of the way for someone who actually runs against Donald Trump”he declared on Wednesday.
Donald Trump snubs Wednesday debate
Chris Christie was so low in the polls that he did not meet the criteria set by the party to participate in the debate scheduled for Wednesday evening during which two Republican candidates will finally try to present themselves as the best alternative to the big favorite Donald Trump for the American presidential election.
Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis, well ahead of the billionaire in the polls for the Republican nomination, are playing a bit of a double-take during this last televised debate before the choice of voters in Iowa on January 15. A good electoral performance on Monday, in this small state where the stakes are high, would serve as a springboard for them to hope to catch Donald Trump and defy the predictions.
For his part, the former president once again chose to snub the debate, believing he had too great a lead and that he had nothing to gain by exposing himself to a possible heavy fire of criticism.
Two other candidates are running in the Republican primaries but are not qualified for Wednesday’s debate: former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and wealthy biotechnology entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.