Gov. Chris Christie weighed in Wednesday on speculation that he was on Donald Trump’s vice presidential shortlist, saying he was in the dark about the real estate magnate’s plans.
“I have no idea. You’ll have to ask Donald that,” Christie told reporters at a news conference in West Trenton, New Jersey.
“I was on the shortlist last time too,” Christie added, referring to Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign. “So it doesn’t mean a whole heck of a lot.”
In an interview Tuesday, Trump told The Associated Press that he had not ruled out Christie and was considering a list of “five or six” potential running mates. Trump declined to elaborate in an interview with Fox News on Tuesday night.
“I like Chris a lot,” he told Bill O’Reilly. “I’m not going to say ruling in or out.”
When Christie was asked if he would accept a VP nod, he said that while “Donald Trump’s a very persuasive guy” and it is “obviously an honor to be considered for that position,” he plans to “make that decision if and when there’s a decision to make.”
Christie was an early backer of Trump, becoming the first sitting governor to endorse the real estate tycoon in February — triggering speculation that he was angling for a spot on the ticket.
Trump, now the presumptive GOP nominee, announced earlier this week that he had put Christie in charge of his transition team, calling the governor “an extremely knowledgeable and loyal person.”