Christie to join 2024 race with 1% GOP support, per poll.

Chris Christie’s Uphill Battle for the GOP Nomination

On the precipice of an expected presidential campaign launch, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s poll numbers suggest an extremely uphill climb to the GOP nomination.

A Morning Consult survey showed Christie with only 1% of support among likely Republican primary voters, far below the top two candidates: former President Donald Trump at 56% and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) at 22%. Even more worrying for the governor’s campaign launch, 39% of those surveyed had an unfavorable view of Christie compared with 30% who had a favorable view. Trump, meanwhile, has an astounding 75% favorability score, further cementing his front-runner status among Republican presidential hopefuls.

The Challenges Ahead for Christie

Further complicating Christie: 60% of GOP primary voters heard nothing about the governor in advance of his campaign launch, only 17% heard something positive, while 22% heard something negative. A RealClearPolitics poll aggregate confirmed Christie’s low approval among primary voters, as the former governor is averaging 1% among several polls, the same as Gov. Chris Sununu (R-NH), who announced he wouldn’t run for president in 2024.

Christie is expected to launch a 2024 bid on Tuesday at a town hall at St. Anselm College around 6:30 p.m., but he faces a long haul in defeating Trump or DeSantis for the presidential nomination. Christie will likely run as the only candidate willing to take on Trump aggressively, reminiscent of Christie’s prior persona as a tell-it-like-it-is lawmaker. His allies have already launched a super PAC to aid Christie in his campaign.

But Christie’s abrasive attitude toward Trump may explain his unpopularity with many Republicans, a factor that likely plays into other 2024 candidates’ reluctance to criticize Trump.

The Growing 2024 GOP Field

The 2024 GOP field continues to grow as former Vice President Mike Pence and Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) are also set to launch presidential bids on Wednesday.

• Christie faces an uphill battle for the GOP nomination
• Only 1% of likely Republican primary voters support Christie
• 60% of GOP primary voters heard nothing about Christie in advance of his campaign launch
• Christie will likely run as the only candidate willing to take on Trump aggressively
• The 2024 GOP field continues to grow with Pence and Burgum launching presidential bids

Despite his low poll numbers, Christie is determined to launch his 2024 presidential campaign. However, he faces a tough challenge in defeating Trump or DeSantis for the GOP nomination. Only time will tell if Christie’s aggressive approach will resonate with Republican voters.

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