LIVINGSTON, N.J. – Returning to the gymnasium of his former high school, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie Tuesday officially kicked off a presidential campaign six years in the making – and, skeptics would say, three years too late.
Christie was joined at Livingston High School by family, childhood friends and longtime supporters for the announcement, which leaned heavily on his family background and the community he grew up in. Two people spoke before Christie took the stage: A friend of his mother's and a former Christie classmate, both from Livingston.
"I've spent the last 13 years of my life, as U.S. attorney and governor of this state, fighting for fairness and justice and opportunity for the people of the state of New Jersey. That fight has not made me more weary. It has made me stronger, and I am now ready to fight for the people of the United States of America," Christie said.
He added that the nation needed to restore "strength and decision-making and authority back in the Oval Office," as he announced his candidacy for the GOP nomination.
That focus on biography and personality is reflected in the slogan for his campaign: Telling it like it is. His campaign frames that as a willingness to address big issues without pandering and points to proposals and speeches he has made on Social Security, Medicare, foreign policy, education and the economy. It's counting on that to distinguish him in a crowded Republican field that could reach 16 candidates.
"I mean what I say and I say what I mean, and that's what America needs right now," Christie said.
Christie entered and exited the stage to music by Bon Jovi, one day after Jon Bon Jovi hosted and performed at a fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The first song that played as the doors to the gym opened to the public was Bruce Springsteen's Glory Days, but songs from Christie's musical idol were absent from the event itself.
On the eve of his announcement, the governor's office announced a series of actions that would be looked upon favorably by core national constituencies for Republicans.
He directed his attorney general to change state regulations to require firearm applications filed by victims of domestic violence or violent crimes to be considered on an expedited basis, within 14 days. And for a sixth time, he vetoed bills providing additional funding to family planning clinics and expanding Medicaid coverage for such services.
Four years ago, Republicans impressed by Christie's forceful personality and policy reforms implored Christie to make a run for president, even though he was only in his second year as governor. Christie ruled it out, then later briefly reconsidered before announcing in October 2011 he would not join the race.
Christie endorsed Mitt Romney in that election, went on the campaign trail as a surrogate and helped raise millions for the campaign. He was vetted as a possible vice presidential running mate for Romney and was among the finalists, but he was passed over in favor of Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.
Instead, Christie got to make the keynote speech at the Republican Party's 2012 national convention in Florida. The speech drew criticism for being focused more on Christie's background and accomplishments than on Romney or the party platform.
Following his re-election landslide in 2013, in which he received 60% of the vote, Christie successfully outmaneuvered Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal to win election as chairman of the Republican Governors Association. Jindal and Christie are rivals once more; the former announced his candidacy for the White House on Wednesday.
The RGA platform enabled Christie to extensively travel the country, cultivate political alliances and meet major campaign donors. In the 2014 vote, the Republicans netted a two-seat gain despite having to defend three-fifths of the seats up for election. Their wins included contests in Democratic-leaning Illinois, Maryland and Massachusetts.
By 2014, though, Christie had lost much of the luster that made him a sought-after prospect in 2011.
Conservatives worried he was too moderate. Some Republicans were angry he had effusively praised President Obama in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy in 2012 and excoriated House Speaker John Boehner over a delayed Sandy aid vote.
The George Washington Bridge scandal — it unfolded in inglorious detail starting in January 2014 and has dogged Christie ever since — severely damaged his credentials as a competent leader and reinforced critics' picture of him as a political bully. Three of his operatives have been indicted, one of whom pleaded guilty.
Once considered a top-tier candidate as recently as late 2013, Christie now polls far behind in the crowded Republican field. A recent Fox News poll found him at 2%, outside the top 10 and at risk of not being included in the first debate in Cleveland in August.
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