Christie calls Sununu a ‘liar’ over talk of ending campaign

Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie has denounced talk of withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race and accused New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R), who originated the idea, of lying.

“It pains me to say this, but Governor Sununu is a liar,” Christie, the former New Jersey governor, said in an interview Tuesday. Interview with WMUR.

Sununu supported rival Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley. said in a recent interview He believes Mr. Christie's leadership team is in talks with the former governor about withdrawing from the race.

“I think members of his leadership team here in New Hampshire are having those discussions with them, and they're the right people to have it there,” Sununu told CNN's Pamela Brown. . “He has no ground game. He's not even making an effort over the next couple of days.”

Mr. Sununu went on to argue that Mr. Christie may further intensify his campaign efforts in the Granite State because of his “lack of resources.”

“So I think those discussions are happening,” he said. “I know they are with members of his steering committee. A couple have already left.”

When asked how he knows about internal conversations within the Christie campaign, Sununu said he doesn't know what's going on because “I've been talking to people on the steering committee and they're all saying the same thing.” He said that

But he praised Christie's ability to send a counter-message to former President Trump during the campaign. The Republican hopeful has been one of Trump's most vocal critics.

Christie told WMUR he has spoken with members of the steering committee and is not aware of anyone discussing withdrawing from the race.

The former New Jersey governor said he learned online that the New Hampshire governor was endorsing his rival, Haley, and said, “It's disappointing to see Chris Sununu sell himself.”

“But if he wanted to say something to me, he would have my number,” Christie said. “He's had this system since he ran in 2016, and when he needs financial support for his campaign, he doesn't hesitate to use it. … So if he loses it… Even if he did, I know he knows a lot of people who have given it to him.”

Christie has faced numerous calls to withdraw from racing. Sununu argued that by staying in the race, Christie is stealing votes from Haley, who has the best chance of defeating former President Trump in the nation's first primary state.

According to a poll conducted by The Hill/Decision Desk Headquarters, Mr. Trump has an approval rating of 41.5% in the state, while Ms. Haley is in second place with 30.5%. Mr. Christie is in third place with an approval rating of 11.5%, followed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, each with less than 10% approval rating.