New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie surprisingly endorsed real estate mogul Donald Trump for the presidency ahead of Super Tuesday.
“I am proud to be here to endorse Donald Trump for President of the United States,” Christie said in a press conference in Fort Worth, Texas. As CNN notes, Christie also said that Trump is “undoubtedly” the best person to beat Hillary Clinton in November.
Christie’s endorsement came just hours after Trump dealt with a barrage of attacks from Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz at the Republican debate on Feb. 25. Christie, who famously attacked Rubio as he repeated the same statement multiple times during his final debate before dropping out of the race himself, called Rubio’s comments against Trump the “flailing punches in the final days of the campaign."
Trump was by Christie’s side and said that the endorsement was particularly important for him. “He’s been my friend for many years. He’s been a spectacular governor,” Trump said, reports The New York Times.
Christie’s endorsement comes as it has become increasingly difficult for Rubio or Cruz to stop Trump. After Cruz won in Iowa, Trump won in South Carolina, New Hampshire and Nevada. There are 12 states heading to the polls on Super Tuesday, including Cruz’s home state of Texas.