New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is among the top choices for presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump's running mate, according to a report.
According to The Hill, since Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker took his name out of the running and Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst said she'd rather stay in the Senate, the possibility of Christie as a vice presidential candidate is getting closer to reality.
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Per The Hill:
At the top of the list are New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (Ga.).
Christie, who was one of the first high-profile Republicans to rally behind Trump when it appeared he would be the GOP nominee, is on vacation with his wife in Italy for a few days.
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The real estate mogul said in Wednesday's Fox News interview that two generals are currently being considered. But he noted that he is more inclined to pick a lawmaker.
"I like the generals; I like the concept of the generals,” Trump said, “[But] we're looking to go more the political route in terms of getting legislation passed."
As noted by The Associated Press, Christie may have an advantage over other potential picks due to his campaigning abilities and the fact that he's known Trump personally for a long time.
Yet the re-emergence of the Bridgegate scandal and questions over what happened to Christie's cellphone in the aftermath create potential baggage for the Trump campaign.
Gingrich, one of the other leading candidates for the job, campaigned with Trump Wednesday night.
Trump has said he plans on picking his running mate "just prior" to the party's convention in Cleveland, which begins July 18.