Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) said Tuesday he is contemplating a third bid for the White House in 2028, as Republicans brace for what forecasters predict could be a punishing midterm election cycle.
Speaking at the Granite State Summit on Responsible Gaming in New Hampshire, Christie, who challenged Donald Trump for the GOP nomination in 2024, questioned whether the party will pivot from its current course or double down on the wing that has dominated it—especially if Republicans endure significant losses in the upcoming midterms.
“Am I looking at it? Look, anybody who comes up here and has ever run for president and not one told you they’re not looking at it again is lying,” Christie said, according to footage shared by WMUR 9’s Adam Sexton. “Once you go through the thought process of convincing yourself that you can be president, and then the next step that you should be president, that doesn’t leave your brain.”
Christie, who also ran in 2016, acknowledged the personal stakes of a third campaign. “So, the way I look at this is, if I’m going to go back home to my wife and say, ‘I know you may not believe this, but third time is the charm,’ like, I better have a real theory,” he said. “And what she has said to me is, ‘Chris, I want to see the path.’”
His comments come as Democrats are now favored to win the House and, more narrowly, the Senate this fall, according to the latest forecasts from Decision Desk HQ. The president’s approval numbers remain problematic, and voter anger over the economy under a Republican-led Washington is mounting—a dynamic that could shape the midterm landscape and, by extension, the 2028 primary.
As Trump serves out his second term, both parties are already jockeying for position in the next presidential cycle. Vice President Vance has long been viewed as the GOP’s heir apparent, and he generated buzz with a closing-night address to the Republican National Committee’s midterm convention earlier this month. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also seen his stock rise, and Trump has appeared to float both men for the top job in the past.
Christie has consistently declined to rule out another run, saying he will wait for the 2026 results before deciding whether to enter the fray. His latest remarks suggest that a Republican wipeout in November could create an opening for a candidate positioning himself as a course correction for the party.
The broader political environment is already being shaped by a series of contentious fights. From Trump’s focus on monuments and press feuds to voter anger over the economy and Iran, Republicans are navigating multiple landmines. Meanwhile, record diesel prices are adding to the party’s midterm woes, and the Supreme Court’s rejection of Trump’s mail ballot scheme has only intensified fears of electoral sabotage.
For Christie, the path to 2028 would likely require a convincing argument that the GOP needs a different approach—one that can win back suburban and independent voters who have drifted away. Whether the party is ready for that message will depend heavily on how badly it fares in November.
