New Jersey governor seeks US Republican presidential candidacy
Chris Christie seeks support from centrist voters among 13 other candidates.
A 14th candidate and fifth governor or ex-governor has officially entered the race for the Republican nomination in next year’s US presidential election.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is pitching himself as a tough, straight-talking politician who can win over centrist primary voters in a crowded GOP field.
He is a second-term governor and former US attorney.
“I don’t seek the presidency for any other reason than I believe in my heart that I’m ready to work with you to restore America to its rightful place in the world,” he said at a New Jersey high school where he started his climb into politics more than three decades ago with a successful campaign for class president.
“In the end, leadership matters. It matters for our country, and American leadership matters for the world,” he added.
He pointed to his record of rebuilding his state’s troubled economy and overhauling an underfunded pension system.
Mr Christie's policies include simplifying the tax code, reducing business regulation, scaling back entitlement programmes and restoring America's diplomatic place on the world stage.
He also called for the return of 4% economic growth, a target that also is at the centre of front-runner Jeb Bush’s campaign.
Nevil Gibson
Wed, 01 Jul 2015
Wed, 01 Jul 2015
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New Jersey governor seeks US Republican presidential candidacy
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