New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced his bid for the presidency, declaring he is "ready to fight for the people" of America.

Christie, with his wife, Mary Pat, and four children standing next to him,  blamed both parties for gridlock in Washington, and said straight talk and "strong leadership and decisiveness" would relieve weary voters, according to nj.com

"I am now ready to fight for the people of the United States of America," Christie told a crowd of about 1,000 in the old gymnasium of his alma mater, Livingston High School, in an unscripted speech unlike any other campaign kickoff this year.

The 52-year-old governor and former federal prosecutor, enters the most crowded field in recent history with more than a dozen vying in the Republican Primary.

Christie,  born in Newark to a Sicilian mother and Irish father, used the speech to reintroduce himself as a self-described straight talker who follows his heart and who can offer more than made-for-YouTube moments, according to nj.com

"As a candidate for president, I want to promise you a few things," Christie said. "First, a campaign without spin, or without pandering or focus group-tested answers. You're going to get what I think, whether you like it or not, and whether it makes you cringe every once in a while or not."

"I don't' seek the presidency for any other reason than I believe in my heart that I am ready to work with you to restore America to its rightful place in the world, and to restore the American dream to each one of our children," Christie said.

In declaring his campaign at Livingston High, Christie returned to the place of his last presidency — in 1980 as head of his graduating class. If elected, he would be the first New Jerseyan to occupy the White House since Woodrow Wilson in 1913.

The campaign will be Christie's toughest and most high-stakes to date, pitting him against more than a dozen other candidates, including cash-rich Gov. Jeb Bush, whose brother, former president George W. Bush, kick started Christie's career.

New Jersey governor announces bid for US presidential race

Chris Christie, governor of US state of New Jersey, on Tuesday announced his bid for the 2016 US presidential race, jumping into the group of 13 other Republican candidates already in the field.

Christie made the announcement at Livingston High School, his alma mater, in Livingston, New Jersey. His campaign team disclosed his bid via email earlier on Tuesday, Xinhua reported.

The email also emphasised the personal side of his bid for the GOP nomination, asserting that Christie's decision to launch his effort from his old high school "allows the American people to meet the 'Chris' everyone from Livingston knows".

As the 14th Republican candidate in the race to the White House, Christie began his remarks at the Livingston High School in very personal style, referring at length to his family and to his upbringing in the city.

"Everything started here for me: The confidence, the education, the friends, the family and the love that I've always felt for and from this community," he said.

Christie, a tough-talking former federal prosecutor whose reputation for political bullying was reinforced by a George Washington Bridge lane-closing scandal that surfaced last year, has served as New Jersey governor since January 2010, winning the election twice in a state where Democrats greatly outnumber Republicans.

Analysts reckoned that whether Christie will overcome the George Washington Bridge lane closure scandal is an obvious obstacle in his way for presidential campaign. However, some experts believe that his skills as a retail politician and his debating ability could turn things around.