In His Own Words: An Audio History of Gov. Chris Christie

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie returns to his high school today Tuesday to announce his candidacy for president.  Christie was born in Newark in 1962 and grew up in the well-to-do suburb of Livingston. He got his start in politics on the Morris County Board of Freeholders before being named U.S. Attorney of New Jersey where he led several high profile terrorism and political corruption cases.  He was elected Governor in 2010, coming from behind to defeat incumbent Democrat Jon Corzine.

Christie made a name for himself by going head-to-head with New Jersey's powerful public sector unions, passing pension reform with the help of the state's Democratic legislature. Christie also became an Internet hit after videos of him trading barbs with reporters and constituents at town hall meetings went viral.

He was the keynote speaker at the 2012 Republican convention, and was reportedly heavily courted by the GOP establishment to make a White House run himself. Mitt Romney's team scouted Christie as a possible vice presidential candidate before ultimately settling on Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan.

The pinnacle of Christie's political success came in the aftermath of Sandy, where the fleece-clad Governor was a constant presence around the Garden State, consoling victims and pledging a speedy recovery. It also brought one of the most polarizing political moments for Christie: the now famous "bro hug" in which the governor embraced President Obama upon his arrival in New Jersey in the wake of the storm. Critics claim the moment helped Obama win re-election.

Though he fell out of favor with national Republicans, Christie was more popular than ever at home, and cruised to re-election in the heavily Democratic state. He garnered significant support from Democratic officials across the state. He portrayed himself as a straight-talking problem-solver who could reach across the aisle and get things done. Christie's re-election team actively sought out Democratic endorsements, a process that culminated in the 2013 Fort Lee lane closure scandal. As was later revealed, the scheme was orchestrated by Christie aides as a form of retaliation after the town's Democratic mayor declined to back the Governor. The scandal, known widely as Bridgegate, and the allegations that followed hurt the Governor's reputation at home. His poll numbers fell to record lows, leaving many to wonder whether Christie would run at all.

But the Governor plowed ahead, setting up a super PAC and scheduling regular trips to the early primary states of Iowa and New Hampshire. And on Tuesday, Christie makes it official: announcing his White House run at his alma mater, Livingston High School, where he served as student-body president nearly 35 years ago.