New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), once a rival to presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, has emerged as a contender to become Trump's vice presidential running mate.
Christie, who endorsed Trump soon after he ended his own bid for the GOP nomination, is being vetted by those leading the real estate mogul's VP search, The New York Times first reported. A source confirmed the news to CNN.
As Trump has caused controversy after controversy, Christie has become one of his strongest defenders. When the real estate mogul launched a series of racist attacks against a federal judge, Christie immediately intervened by arguing that Trump was not racist.
Within Trump's campaign, Christie has taken on an influential role, leading the transition team that is planning a potential Trump administration. He is reportedly helping Trump secure donations from prominent GOP donors, who so far have been reluctant to back Trump, and has reached out to his fellow GOP governors to encourage them to support the real estate mogul.
The New Jersey governor's quick endorsement of Trump in February surprised many political observers, including politicians in his home state. Once seen as an establishment Republican and rising star within the party, Christie attaching himself to Trump's candidacy and brand seemed to be a shameless political move. In particular, Christie spent much of his presidential campaign criticizing Trump, once calling him "a carnival barker" and "entertainer in chief."
Christie's now steadfast support of Trump has also been the subject of mockery. During one of his first appearances with Trump, people on social media commented that Christie looked like a hostage.
“I don’t know what I was supposed to be doing,” Christie said in response. “I was standing there listening to him. All these armchair psychiatrists should give it a break. ... He was answering questions from the national press corps, and I was listening. This is part of the hysteria of the people who oppose my Trump endorsement. They want to read anything into it that can be negative.”
“So no, I wasn’t being held hostage,” he added. “No, I wasn’t sitting up there thinking, ‘Oh my God, what have I done?’”
More recently, Christie had to deny that he is Trump's "manservant," following reports earlier this month that he was seen picking up Trump's McDonald's order.
Trump is expected to announce his vice presidential pick at the GOP convention in Cleveland next month.
UPDATE: 7:24 p.m. -- Trump aides told The Washington Post later Thursday that the announcement could come as soon as next week, in order to unify the party ahead of the convention.
In addition to Christie, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) also is a strong contender to be Trump's running mate. Gingrich, like Christie, has defended Trump, arguing on Sunday that Trump's tendency to eschew facts and take inconsistent policy positions are signs that he is "evolving" as a candidate.
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