In a surprising turn of events, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has decided to drop his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. According to a source familiar with Christie's plans, he will make the announcement during his town hall meeting in Windham, New Hampshire, tonight.

The decision comes amidst mounting pressure on Christie to step aside as critics of former President Donald Trump seek a viable alternative to the front-runner. While Christie had previously insisted that he had no intention of leaving the race, recent polls in New Hampshire showed his support slipping, with former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley gaining momentum.

Despite Christie's strong stance against Trump, his high unfavorability ratings and single-digit national polling numbers ultimately worked against him. While his consistent criticism of the former president attracted media attention and brought in small-dollar donations to sustain his campaign, it wasn't enough to propel him ahead.

The New Hampshire primary, scheduled to take place in less than two weeks, was seen as crucial for Christie's campaign. However, with Haley gaining ground and Trump maintaining a lead in the polls, the former governor's chances for success seemed to be diminishing.

Allies of Haley, including New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu and prominent anti-Trump Republicans, had been urging Christie to step aside. These supporters hoped that his voters would gravitate towards Haley, potentially turning the race into a competitive two-candidate contest against Trump.

A recent CNN/UNH poll in New Hampshire revealed that around two-thirds of Christie's supporters would choose Haley as their second choice. With Trump's lead narrowing to single digits, Haley's momentum indicates a viable alternative to the front-runner.

Despite the disappointing outcome, Christie was able to outlast more well-known and well-funded candidates by running a frugal campaign. His reliance on a tight-knit team and cost-cutting measures allowed him to stretch his resources and stay in the race longer than expected.

As Christie bows out of the presidential race, the focus now turns to the fifth GOP presidential debate, where Haley and DeSantis are scheduled to meet later today. This debate, which Christie did not qualify for, could prove pivotal as the remaining candidates vie for the nomination.

While Christie may no longer be in the running, his departure marks a significant shift in the Republican primary race. With the New Hampshire primary just around the corner, the contenders will continue to vie for support and seek to present themselves as the most viable alternative to Trump in order to secure the party's nomination.