Ryan reported that Christie's campaign would be focused on New Hampshire, a crucial early Republican primary state that often determines the success of a candidate's campaign. Ryan added that New York Mets owner Steve Cohen will be among several donors supporting Christie's 2024 run.
This announcement comes after months of speculation and a statement from Christie that he would make a final decision by mid-May. Last month, CNN reported that Christie met with donors and staffers to gauge interest in a presidential campaign.
GONE TOO SOON: NYPD MOURNS FALLEN OFFICER AFTER FATAL CONFRONTATION, IS BIDEN'S AMERICA TO BLAME?
"The New Jersey Republican sees himself as the only serious GOP candidate willing to take on former President Donald," CNN reported. "He also sees himself as a candidate who could appeal to enough independents to beat President Joe Biden in the general election, should Biden announce a reelection bid."
GONE TOO SOON: NYPD MOURNS FALLEN OFFICER AFTER FATAL CONFRONTATION, IS BIDEN'S AMERICA TO BLAME?
The current 2024 Republican primary includes the frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, along with Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, Asa Hutchinson, and Larry Elder. While Trump has consistently been at the top of Republican primary polls, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), widely expected to announce his campaign soon, has been polling in second place.
RE-SHAPING THE FUTURE: TENNESSEE GOV. BILL LEE UNVEILS BOLD PLAN FOR "EDUCATION FREEDOM"
May 19, 2023
Christie ran an unsuccessful presidential campaign in 2016 that saw him drop out after the New Hampshire primary, where he came in sixth place in a field that included nine candidates. However, he remains confident in his ability to take on Trump, calling a presidential run a "huge risk" during a Washington, DC, event last month but adding that he would be prepared to debate Trump again.
WATCH: TULSI GABBARD ADDRESSES WHO REALLY INFLUENCES POLICY, AND IT'S NOT BIDEN...
"If it turns out that I'm on a debate stage in August of this year and Donald Trump decides to be on it, you can be sure that we'll have some exchanges that I hope will be illuminating to the public about both him and me," Christie said.
Despite his support of Trump in previous elections, Christie said the "line was crossed" when Trump claimed the 2020 election was rigged. "There's a difference between spinning politically to try to put yourself in a better position before the vote happens and after the vote happens to say it was 'rigged,'" Christie said.
WATCH: AOC DISPLAYING HER IGNORANCE ONCE AGAIN
Christie took more shots in a late-April interview with Politico, telling the outlet that "No one else has the balls to" take on the former President. He added that Trump "can't be a credible figure on the world stage; he can't be a credible figure interacting with Congress; he will get nothing done."
FIVE ARRESTED IN SOUTHERN TEXAS FOR TRAFFICKING OF MILITARY-GRADE WEAPONS TO CARTEL
However, Christie said he would only run if he thought he could win the election. "I'm not a paid assassin," he said. "When you're waking up for your 45th morning at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manchester, you better think you can win, because that walk from the bed to the shower, if you don't think you can win, it's hard."
Christie has not held political office since leaving the New Jersey gubernatorial office more than five years ago.