Trump team not interested in Christie bid for RNC chair
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a former candidate for president, is weighing a bid to become chair of the Republican National Committee -- but Donald Trump’s transition team isn’t biting.
Two sources familiar with transition discussions told CBS News’ Major Garrett that they have no knowledge of any interest in or discussion about Christie heading up the RNC.
Instead, two others have emerged as prominent contenders for the role: David Bossie, Mr. Trump’s deputy campaign manager and a top transition adviser, and Nick Ayers, former executive director of the Republican Governors Association and manager of former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s short-lived 2012 presidential campaign. Ayers, also a senior adviser to the Trump transition, is seen as having the inside track due to a close relationship with Vice President-elect Mike Pence.
Christie, once a top surrogate for Mr. Trump, was ousted last month from his role as the president-elect’s transition chief -- a role taken over by Pence. He was demoted to vice chairman of the transition, a title held by several others within the transition team, and one which has little real power within the team.
Last week, the New Jersey governor, once a candidate for the Republican vice presidential slot, spoke to a local radio show to weigh in on his future political prospects.
“I had every intention then and I have every intention and belief now -- as I said in Atlantic City last week that I’m going to fulfill my term,” Christie told New Jersey’s 101.5.
“The only thing I said that I would consider doing was when [Trump] considered me for vice president,” he said. “And he selected, you know, Gov. Pence. And since that time, I’ve been saying consistently throughout that I was going to serve the rest of my term and I’m serving the rest of my term.”