Fort Worth, February 27 (RHC)-- New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has endorsed Donald Trump for the U.S. presidency, a major development that gives the Republican frontrunner a significant boost. Christie, who was a candidate for president himself, told American voters on Friday that no one is better prepared to lead the country than Trump.

The stunning news represents the biggest endorsement by far for Trump, the billionaire businessman who has stunned the GOP establishment with his rise. "I've been on that stage, I've gotten to know all the people on that stage. And there is no one better prepared to provide America with the strong leadership that it needs both at home and around the world than Donald Trump," Christie said at a joint press appearance in Fort Worth, Texas alongside Trump.

Christie's decision comes amid a flurry of endorsements from lawmakers and other public officials for Marco Rubio, who repeatedly ripped into Trump in Thursday's tenth Republican presidential debate.

Christie also praised Trump as the best candidate to defeat Democratic primary front-runner Hillary Clinton for the White House in the fall. "I can guarantee you that the one person that Hillary and Bill Clinton don't want to see on that stage come September is Donald Trump."

Christie dropped out of the race for the White House after a poor showing in the New Hampshire primary. His endorsement raises questions about whether there could be a position for Christie in a Trump administration.