It’s Official: Chris Christie Drops Out of Presidential Race

Chris Christie will be back in New Jersey a lot more often.

The N.J. governor, who finished 10th in Iowa and sixth in New Hampshire, is dropping out of the presidential race. His campaign confirmed the news to the Associated Press this afternoon.

Christie’s final act in the race was essentially a takedown of Marco Rubio — who had finished third in Iowa — in Saturday night’s Republican debate. Christie accused Rubio of giving a “memorized 25-second speech that is exactly what his advisers gave him.” Rubio responded by saying the same “memorized 25-second speech” as before, incredibly. But while that debate exchange hurt Rubio — he finished fifth — it did not help Christie.

Earlier, two sources close to the governor told CNN the announcement could come as early as later today. CBS reported he made the decision after talking with major donors and concluding he didn’t have the finances to continue to the next primary in South Carolina on February 20th.

Christie spent more than 70 days in New Hampshire, holding 76 town halls and 180 public events. He aired almost two thousand ads. His frequent absences from New Jersey cost him popularity at home and was costly to N.J. taxpayers.

Christie was criticized by South Jersey shore town residents for his response to the winter storm last month. He stopped campaigning in New Hampshire and Iowa to drop in on Jersey, but spent just a short time in the state, didn’t tour South Jersey and called the Republican mayor of North Wildwood, Patrick Rosenello, “crazy.”

Christie is not expected to endorse a candidate right away. Donald Trump, who won New Hampshire, said Christie called to congratulate him last night.

Follow @dhm on Twitter.