Both New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and his future plans will be up in the air as he flies off to visit seven states for gubernatorial swearing-in ceremonies and will make, or not make, an announcement that he is seeking the Republican nomination for president.
Despite mounting pressure to declare, caused by Florida former Gov. Jeb Bush's announcement that he will "actively explore" a run for the White House, Christie has yet to throw his hat in the ring. Those close to Christie insist that a main deciding factor will be his family,
The Wall Street Journal reports.
Former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean told the Journal, "He’s very close to his family, closer than most people. I don’t think he’s just blowing smoke when he says he has to be sure that the whole family is on board."
Speaking to students at the Mendham Township Middle School last month, Christie said, "I am thinking about it. You can imagine that this is a really difficult decision to make and an important one.
"No matter what, I am still Andrew, Sarah, Patrick and Bridget’s father and they wonder what I am going to do for work, and I’m still Mary Pat’s husband and she wonders the same thing,"
NJ.com reported.
Christie told the Journal that his daughter Sarah, a Notre Dame student, has voiced worries about being followed around campus by Secret Service agents, while his two younger children, Patrick, 14, and Bridget, 11, seem to prefer not moving to Washington.
Real Clear Politics' poll roundup shows Bush leading the race for the 2016 Republican nomination by 5.8 points over Christie, who's in second place.
During the midterm elections, Christie was gone for 70 days raising funds as chairman of the Republican Governors Association, and is expected to visit seven states for swearing-in ceremonies for governors he helped to elect, which will help him maintain national contacts for a presidential run, but also will keep him away from home.
Christie, the Journal notes, stayed at his Mendham home, rather than moving to the governor's mansion in Princeton, to allow his younger children to remain with their friends.
Christie political adviser Bill Palatucci told the Journal, "Weekends were off-limits to campaigns and staff. As long as I’ve known Chris Christie, you’ll find him Saturday or Sunday morning at the hockey arena or soccer field or basketball courts."
As for his family, Christie told the Journal, "I know they miss me when I'm gone."
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