Chris Christie to Endorse Mitt Romney in New Hampshire: Report

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is planning to endorse former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for president on Tuesday, Fox News reported.

Christie, who declined to run for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination himself, will make the endorsement at an event in Hanover, N.H., where a Republican debate is being held Tuesday evening.

The first-term Republican governor of New Jersey held a news conference Oct. 4 to announce that he'd forego a presidential run amid repeated calls for him to jump into the field of candidates, who have left the conservative Republican base searching for someone to rally around.

Hinted at Romney Backing Earlier

Christie hinted at a potential Romney endorsement during the news conference when asked about which candidate he'd support in the 2012 election.

If I feel like there's someone in the field who gives us the best chance to beat the president, I'll endorse that candidate, Christie said at the time.

Although Romney's moderate stance is unpopular with an increasingly conservative GOP base, he's also seen as more likely to attract moderate Independent voters -- a critical block if the GOP is to win back the presidency in 2012.