Skip to main content
Friday, November 13, 2026Nov 13
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

Christie to embrace underdog role as he launches 2016 bid

FILE - In this June 19, 2015, file photo, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks at the Northeast Republican Leadership Conference in Philadelphia. Christie's supporters appear resigned to the fact that his expected 2016 presidential campaign will be very different from the one they envisioned two years ago, before he dropped to the back of crowded pack. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
FILE - In this June 19, 2015, file photo, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks at the Northeast Republican Leadership Conference in Philadelphia. Christie's supporters appear resigned to the fact that his expected 2016 presidential campaign will be very different from the one they envisioned two years ago, before he dropped to the back of crowded pack. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) FILE - In this June 19, 2015, file photo, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks at the Northeast Republican Leadership Conference in Philadelphia. Christie's supporters appear resigned to the fact that his expected 2016 presidential campaign will be very different from the one they envisioned two years ago, before he dropped to the back of crowded pack. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

By Associated Press 4 min read

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) – When New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie enters the race for president next week, he’ll do so as an underdog.

The launch of the Republican governor’s White House campaign is the culmination of years of groundwork that began even before his landslide re-election to a second term as governor in 2013, but one nearly felled by scandal and a descent from his standing as one of the nation’s most popular state leaders to a politician whose approval ratings have reached record lows.

It’s a reality Christie and his supporters are ready to embrace.

“Clearly, he’s got some uphill work to be done,” said Ken Langone, a co-founder of The Home Depot and one of Christie’s most vocal cheerleaders. “But I think it can be done.”

In recent months, Christie’s team has tried to re-establish him as a credible candidate chock-full of policy prescriptions. They tout his charismatic personality, quick wit and plain-spoken manner, which they believe can win over voters at town hall events and on debate stages.