TRENTON -- Gov. Chris Christie will not be named chairman of the Republican National Committee as President-elect Donald Trump takes over the White House, two sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to NJ Advance Media on Thursday morning.
Christie had been lobbying for the position over the last week, but he and Trump decided mutually that he would not assume the job, said the sources, who requested anonymity to discuss the scenario candidly.
One source close to Christie said Trump's team is continuing to talk to the New Jersey governor, a longtime Trump friend and adviser, about various other positions in the incoming administration.
But, the source noted, Christie wants to serve out his second and final term as governor -- which ends Jan. 18, 2018.
The source added that Christie is close to Trump and will "certainly remain as an informal adviser."
Maggie Haberman of the New York Times was the first to report the news, via Twitter:
Christie was one of the first major Republicans to endorse Trump, a former Atlantic City casino tycoon. for the party's nomination. He was once considered a possible running mate for Trump and then a potential pick for U.S. attorney general, White House chief of staff, secretary of homeland security, or secretary of energy.
But shortly after his victory over Hillary Clinton last month, Trump unexpectedly replaced Christie as chairman of his transition team. That led to questions of whether the governor would secure a spot in Trump's administration after all.
Christie -- whose record-low approval ratings at home have fallen into the teens -- has repeatedly told the press that he plans to finish his term in New Jersey, though he has never ruled out working for Trump's administration.
Sources confirmed to NJ Advance Media last week that Christie was angling to be named RNC chair. He was spotted twice in the past week -- most recently Tuesday night -- at Trump Tower in Manhattan, where Trump continues to hold transition meetings.
A source said the idea would have been for Christie to serve as a volunteer chairman while remaining as governor.
Trump has chosen others to be attorney general, chief of staff, and homeland security secretary. He has yet to select an energy secretary.
Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.