New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie acknowledged Thursday he would be disappointed not to be picked as Donald Trump’s running mate, describing himself as "used to winning."
"I’m a competitive person, so I’m not going to say it won’t bother me if I’m not selected," Christie said in an interview with Bush administration aide-turned-MSNBC analyst Nicolle Wallace. "Of course it bothers you a little bit, because if you’re a competitive person like I am, and you’re used to winning like I am, again, you don’t like coming in second, ever."
Christie also said the vice presidential pick was insignificant next to the ultimate goal of defeating Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Christie is reportedly on Trump’s shortlist of potential running mates, alongside Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. Trump is reportedly leaning toward Pence, but he has not made his selection yet.
Christie won reelection to the governorship in 2013 in a landslide, but his 2016 presidential campaign was a non-starter. He got less than two percent of the vote in Iowa for a 10th-place showing and finished in sixth place in New Hampshire before suspending his campaign in February. He later endorsed Trump despite having once called him someone who plays "make-believe on television."
The New Jersey governor made headlines on March 1, also known as Super Tuesday, when he appeared uncomfortable while standing behind Trump during the business mogul’s victory press conference.