With the shadow of the Fort Lee bridge scandal still looming, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will today make a long-anticipated announcement that he’s running for president.
The two-time Republican governor and former U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, known for his combative style, has been on the road much of the year, making multiple trips to states that host some of the nation’s earliest presidential primaries and caucuses.
Last week, during his fifth trip to Iowa this year, Christie laid out plans to reform the rising costs of higher education and practices of teachers unions. Christie also made nine visits to New Hampshire so far, bringing his “Tell It Like It Is” town hall series to the Granite State.
Christie will likely have to ramp up fundraising efforts as he wades into a race with more than a dozen others already vying for the Republican nomination.
Here are nine things to know about this latest presidential hopeful’s political and financial history:
Sources: Center for Public Integrity reporting, Federal Election Commission, National Institute on Money in State Politics.
Image sources: AP/Jim Cole, AP/Andrew Harnik, AP/Julio Cortez