washington new jersey governor chris christie early supporter u.s. president-elect donald trump consider run lead republican national committee politico report thursday reuters could immediately confirm report representatives christie immediately respond request comment christie whose term governor end january 2018 lead trump transition team u.s. vice president-elect mike pence recently take early month current rnc chairman reince priebus tap serve trump chief staff start white house term jan. 20 2017. christie launch presidential bid alongside trump pool 17 candidates eventually saw trump new york businessman never hold political office win nomination well nov. presidential election democrat hillary clinton christie rise political star so-called bridgegate scandal involve former top aid leave reputation tatters pence take christie one time consider possible candidate serve trump attorney general post instead go u.s. senator jeff sessions alabama trump team say christie would remain vice chair transition effort early month christie two former aid convict shut access lanes george washington bridge 2013 create days-long traffic jam scheme intend punish town mayor democrat decline endorse christie reelection campaign new jersey 's christie mull run lead republican party report