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Christie, in about-face, endorses former GOP rival Trump

FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2016 file photo, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Donald Trump talk during a break in the CNBC Republican presidential debate at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colo. Christie had better be hungry: He’s got a lot of harsh words to eat about Trump now that he’s endorsed the billionaire. Trump, in turn, has some tough things about Christie to start walking back now that the two men are suddenly allies instead of antagonists in the Republican presidential race. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File) FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2016 file photo, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Donald Trump talk during a break in the CNBC Republican presidential debate at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colo. Christie had better be hungry: He’s got a lot of harsh words to eat about Trump now that he’s endorsed the billionaire. Trump, in turn, has some tough things about Christie to start walking back now that the two men are suddenly allies instead of antagonists in the Republican presidential race. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

By Associated Press February 27, 2016 1 min read

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has a reputation for vengeance.

And he delivered it with gusto Friday as he shocked many in the political world by endorsing GOP front-runner Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination.

The surprise endorsement was the first for Trump from a sitting governor – and by far his most prominent. It came as Trump rival Marco Rubio appeared on the cusp of a breakthrough following a break-out debate performance. And it marks the second time that Christie has knee-capped the Florida senator, just as he appeared to be on the rise.

At a news conference in Fort Worth, Texas, Christie described Trump as the best Republican candidate to lead the country and beat Democrat Hillary Clinton. Christie previously panned Trump as ill-suited for the office.