The president of the Iowa Board of Regents says he’s disappointed that his choice among the field of Republican candidates for president has pulled out of the race.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie suspended his campaign after a poor showing in the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary.
President Bruce Rastetter says Christie was drowned out by the anti-Washington message of Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.
“Obviously I was disappointed,” Rastetter says. “He's a terrific guy, would have made a great president.”
Rastetter led a group of influential Republican donors who threw their support behind Christie in the 2016 race after urging him to run four years ago.
Rastetter says it’s a complicated race this year.
“Clearly that crowded field pulled away from his message that many people looked to him for,” Rastetter said.
Rastetter says Christie ran on a platform of making government work, but some Republicans warned that his reputation for compromising with Democrats would harm his chances.
The Iowa group backing Christie included real estate developer Denny Elwell and casino executive Gary Kirke.
