Chris Christie To Announce Presidential Bid; GOP Opponents Donald Trump, Ron deSantis Kickoff Campaign

The Republican primary season is heating up as former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie might join the race for the Republican nomination while former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis continue their rivalry.

The race for the chance to challenge President Joe Biden is said to be a crowded field, though the two favorites, Trump and DeSantis, are still miles ahead of the pack. While Christie used to be a heavyweight in the Republican party, he will enter this race as a clear underdog.

According to Reuters, the former New Jersey governor is only polling at around 1%, as shown in their Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted from May 9-15. Chris Christie is expected to launch his candidacy during a town hall at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire on Tuesday, despite his low odds of winning.

A vocal Trump critic, Christie has been calling on the Republican party to move on from Trump's baseless claims that the 2020 elections were stolen, a claim that has been rejected by courts all over the country.

However, while his stance would not win him the rabid MAGA base that Trump has, it would win him the support of moderate Republicans who are sick of Trump but are not too keen on DeSantis either.

Ron DeSantis Kicks Off Campaign and Takes Shot at Donald Trump

Meanwhile, as Chris Christie prepares to announce his run, Ron DeSantis steps up his jabs against Donald Trump. The controversial Florida governor was in Iowa on Tuesday, officially kicking off his run as a presidential candidate.

According to the Associated Press, DeSantis said he stepped up to Donald Trump and vowed to "fight back" against the current GOP frontrunner and take the presidency in 2024.

However, it was pointed out that while he had some fighting words in Iowa and has the slogan, "Never Back Down," DeSantis has largely avoided getting into confrontations with Trump despite the ex-POTUS releasing a flurry of criticisms aimed at him. This includes making fun of DeSantis for his recent drubbing at the hands of Disney.

"I'm going to fight back," the Florida governor said in his Iowa speech. "Hell, his whole family moved to Florida under my governorship. Are you kidding me?" He then accused his chief rival of abandoning "America First" principles on immigration, as well as moving left on several key issues.

Donald Trump Back in Iowa While Ron DeSantis Tours New Hampshire

Right now, the Associated Press has reported that both frontrunners are touring the early voting states, with Trump in Iowa while DeSantis is in New Hampshire.

Trump was previously forced to cancel an appearance in Iowa due to a tornado warning, though he is now back in the state as he tours several Iowa cities. He is also keeping up with his attacks against DeSantis on his social media site, Truth Social, according to the Associated Press.

As for DeSantis, he was just fresh off his 2-day campaign trail in Iowa and is now touring New Hampshire with a schedule similar to his Iowa visits.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Former N.J. Gov. Chris Christie expected to join 2024 presidential race - CBS New York