Chris Christie Heading Back To New Jersey To Take Stock Of Campaign Following Poor Primary Showing
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A big blow to Gov. Chris Christie's campaign following a poor showing in the New Hampshire primary.
Christie told supporters Tuesday evening that he is heading back to New Jersey Wednesday -- and not going to South Carolina -- so he can take stock of his Republican presidential bid.
"We decided that we're going to go home to New Jersey tomorrow and we're going to take a deep breath," he said.
Christie had a somber tone during his speech, as he said he wants to reassess everything after the final tally from the primary comes in. He is projected to finish sixth.
"We leave New Hampshire tonight without an ounce of regret," he said.
He continued, "I have both won elections I was supposed to lose, and I have lost elections that I was supposed to win, and what that means is you never know. And it's both the magic and the mystery of politics that you never know which one is going to happen, even when you think you do."
Christie congratulated Donald Trump on his victory, even shutting down a supporter who was booing the billionaire.
"Winning's never easy and no one's ever given a victory and the people of the New Hampshire's Republican Party tonight have spoken very clearly about Mr. Trump is their preference in this election and he deserves congratulations for that," he said.
The New Jersey governor was banking on a strong showing in the Granite State as he held more than 70 town hall events over the past few months.
Christie also had a poor showing in the Iowa caucus, only receiving 1.8 percent of the vote.
CBS2's Kristine Johnson spoke with CBS News veteran Bob Schieffer about the primary results. Schieffer said he was not sure what Christie could use to go forward with his campaign.
"I don't know if it's the end of the road, but I don't see where he goes from here, quite frankly," Schieffer said. "This was all Trump all the time in New Hampshire. I mean, won everything you could win out there. He is firmly back in the driver's seat."