New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will announce that he won’t run for president in 2012, according to a Republican briefed by members of Christie’s administration. The person wasn’t authorized to speak for the governor and declined to be identified. Christie, who has been contemplating entering the presidential race, has scheduled a 1 p.m. press conference at the state Capitol in Trenton. Kevin Roberts, a spokesman for the governor, declined to say the purpose of the meeting with reporters.
The 49-year-old Republican has said repeatedly that he would “have to commit suicide” to convince people he won’t seek higher office. While on a national round of speeches and fundraisers for state Republican parties last week, he came under increasing pressure to change his mind. In recent days, he has been considering entering the race, said a Republican donor who asked not to be identified because he isn’t authorized to speak publicly.
Republican party fundraisers across the country, including Kenneth Langone, co-founder of Home Depot Inc. (HD), have urged Christie to get into the presidential race.
Christie took office in January 2010 after defeating incumbent Democrat Jon Corzine amid voter dissatisfaction over the highest property taxes in the U.S. and a sluggish economy. He cut $10 billion in projected spending on schools, pensions and towns and required public workers to pay more for health care, in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans.
