N.H.: Christie to 'make a decision,' Carson staying in

NASHUA, N.H., Feb. 10 (UPI) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie didn't drop out of the 2016 presidential race after a dismal showing in New Hampshire Tuesday night, but he didn't stay in the state to celebrate either.

Christie told supporters he would not go to South Carolina and would instead go back home to New Jersey and "make a decision."

He finished a distant sixth in New Hampshire with 7.5 percent of the vote. It was a stinging disappointment after a strong debate performance earlier in the week.

"Mary Pat and I spoke tonight and we've decided to go home to New Jersey tomorrow and we're going to take a deep breath and see what the results are tonight," Christie said. "By tomorrow morning or tomorrow afternoon we should know."

Christie said the results "should allow us to make a decision."

But the governor, who staked his entire campaign on New Hampshire, spending 72 days in the Granite State since he announced his candidacy, was somber and realistic.

"I have won elections that I was supposed to lose, and I lost elections that I was supposed to win," he said. "It means you never know. It's both the magic and the mystery of politics."

Meanwhile, despite finishing dead last after essentially skipping the state, Ben Carson said he was staying in the race. He finished fourth in Iowa last week.

"I will carry on this fight for as long as the people stand with me," he said in a statement. "As we now move on to South Carolina, Nevada and the Super Tuesday states, I will continue to stand for integrity, accountability and honest leadership."