New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Tuesday did not rule out the possibility of joining Donald Trump’s ticket as his running mate, just minutes after announcing he had voted for the presumptive Republican nominee.
“You don’t get to make those determinations,” Christie told reporters outside a polling place in Mendham Township, New Jersey. “I’ve had no conversations about it.”
Christie was also asked about the VP chances of a fellow New Jersey statewide elected official, Sen. Cory Booker, joining the Democratic ticket. “That’s up to Hillary Clinton,” said Christie, who sought the GOP nomination himself before backing Trump.
Christie stressed that he has a good relationship with the former mayor of Newark, telling reporters, “I like Sen. Booker. I have great respect for Sen. Booker and we have been friends over the last, gosh, now 14 years.”
Christie also added that he didn’t think his comments would help his friend earn a VP nod.
“I wouldn’t want to express an opinion, because if I did I might actually hurt his chances,” Christie remarked. “I wouldn’t want to do that to Cory.”
Christie also addressed what he called the “kerfuffle” over Trump’s claim that a federal district court judge’s Mexican heritage would bias his decisions in a civil suit he’s presiding, over involving Trump University. Christie defended Trump, saying, “Those are Donald’s opinions and he has the right to express them,” Christie said.
“Donald Trump is not a racist,” Christie added.