The Republican presidential primary field has one less candidate as of this evening.

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has officially dropped out of the race.

It's clear to me tonight that there isn't a path for me to win the nomination, which is why I'm

suspending my campaign tonight for President of the United States.

I know, and I can see it from some of the faces here, that I'm disappointing some people by

doing this. People who believe in our message and

believe in what we've been doing. I also know though it's the right thing for

me to do because I want to promise you this.

I am going to make sure that in no way do I enable

Donald Trump to ever be president of the United States again.

And that's more important than my own personal ambition.

Christie made a number of big statements about the state of the Republican Party,

but the one this announcement will probably best be remembered for was made inadvertently

on a hot mic.

Talking to an unidentified speaker about the prospects of the other candidates in this race,

Christie shared his thoughts on former Governor Nicki Haley.

She spent 68 million so far, just on TV.

Spent 68 million so far.

59 million by DeSantis, and we spent 12.

I mean, who's punching above their weight and who's getting a return on their investment

you know and she's going to get smoked and you and I both know it she's not up to this

she's going to get smoked she's not up to this she's going to get smoked she's not up to this

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