THIRD TIME'S THE CHARM? Chris Christie Eyes Another White House Run After Republicans Suffer Major Midterm Defeat
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is considering a third campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in 2028, saying the party’s heavy losses in Tuesday’s midterm elections have prompted him to reconsider another run for the White House.
Christie discussed the possibility Wednesday during an interview with Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio, indicating that he expects to reach a decision within the next several months.
“I certainly am going to think about it now after the results of last night,” Christie said. “And we’ll see. I’ll make that decision in a few months.”
The former governor, who failed to secure the Republican nomination in both 2016 and 2024, suggested that a third attempt might produce a different outcome. He pointed to Ronald Reagan, who won the presidency in 1980 after previous unsuccessful efforts to capture the Republican nomination.
“If I run this time, it’ll be my third time running. Reagan got elected on his third time running, so maybe there’s a bit of a charm to that,” Christie said.
Christie stressed, however, that he has no interest in launching another presidential campaign merely to participate in the contest. He said he would only enter the race if he identified a credible route to victory.
“You don’t do this a third time just for the experience,” Christie said. “So if I run, that means I’ve seen a path I think I can pursue to win the presidency because otherwise you’d have no reason to run.”
His remarks followed a difficult election night for Republicans, with Democrats winning control of both chambers of Congress in a significant setback for President Trump and his party.
The outcome is expected to fuel disagreements among Republicans about the party’s future, particularly as potential presidential contenders begin positioning themselves for the 2028 election.
Christie, who initially supported Trump before becoming one of his most aggressive Republican opponents, has repeatedly argued that the GOP must reconsider its political direction and move away from Trump’s leadership style.
In September, speaking at the Granite State Summit on Responsible Gambling in New Hampshire, Christie predicted that major Republican defeats could prompt party members to question whether their current political strategy remained viable.
“For our party’s sake, if we do a lot of losing six weeks from today,” Christie said, suggesting that Republicans might conclude that a different approach was necessary.
Christie returned to that argument in an October appearance in South Jersey, predicting that the midterm elections would mark a turning point in Trump’s political influence. He also warned that the final two years of Trump’s presidency could be marked by additional political turmoil.
His criticism became even sharper on election night, when Christie declared during ABC News coverage that the Republican losses signaled the end of Trump’s dominance over the party.
Christie’s political history presents considerable obstacles to another presidential bid. His 2016 campaign ended after a disappointing sixth-place finish in New Hampshire, after which he endorsed Trump and became an early supporter.
By the 2024 election cycle, however, Christie had emerged as a leading Republican critic of Trump, devoting much of his presidential campaign to challenging the president’s conduct and fitness for office. He withdrew shortly before the New Hampshire primary after struggling to attract significant support.
The former governor would likely face a crowded Republican field in 2028, potentially including Vice President JD Vance, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.
Christie has not announced a campaign or established a timetable beyond his stated intention to decide within the coming months.
