Story highlights New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie suspends his presidential bid Wednesday afternoon

The decision marks a sudden end for someone once seen as a potential front-runner

(CNN) New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has suspended his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination after a disappointing finish in New Hampshire, he formally announced in a Facebook post Wednesday.

Christie made the announcement earlier on a call with his campaign. He staked his hopes on New Hampshire, but finished sixth on Tuesday night with just 7% of the vote.

Photos: Photos: New Jersey's other Boss Photos: Photos: New Jersey's other Boss Chris Christie: New Jersey's other Boss – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has become a well-known face for the Republican party, but in his home state he's still the second-best-known Boss, next to Bruce Springsteen. Pictured above, Christie speaks at a news conference on October 4, 2011, in Trenton, the capital. Hide Caption 1 of 14 Photos: Photos: New Jersey's other Boss Chris Christie: New Jersey's other Boss – Christie signs the Overdose Prevention Act on May 2, 2013 in Paterson, New Jersey. Hide Caption 2 of 14 Photos: Photos: New Jersey's other Boss Chris Christie: New Jersey's other Boss – Christie addresses state legislators during his State of the State Address on January 8 in Trenton. Hide Caption 3 of 14 Photos: Photos: New Jersey's other Boss Chris Christie: New Jersey's other Boss – Christie tries to comfort Alice Cimillo, whose home was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, on November 1, 2012, in Moonachie, New Jersey. Hide Caption 4 of 14 Photos: Photos: New Jersey's other Boss Chris Christie: New Jersey's other Boss – President Barack Obama and Christie talk with local residents affected by Hurricane Sandy at the Brigantine Beach Community Center on October 31, 2012, in Brigantine, New Jersey, in this photo provided by the White House. Hide Caption 5 of 14 Photos: Photos: New Jersey's other Boss Chris Christie: New Jersey's other Boss – Christie speaks to the media before the start of the abbreviated first day of the Republican National Convention on August 27, 2012, in Tampa, Florida. Hide Caption 6 of 14 Photos: Photos: New Jersey's other Boss Chris Christie: New Jersey's other Boss – Former first lady Nancy Reagan, center, is recognized before Christie delivers remarks at the Reagan Library on September 27, 2011, in Simi Valley, California. Hide Caption 7 of 14 Photos: Photos: New Jersey's other Boss Chris Christie: New Jersey's other Boss – Christie lays a white rose on wreckage pulled from ground zero during the dedication for the Empty Sky Memorial at Liberty State Park on September 10, 2011, in Jersey City, New Jersey. Hide Caption 8 of 14 Photos: Photos: New Jersey's other Boss Chris Christie: New Jersey's other Boss – Christie speaks at a town hall meeting in Hammonton, New Jersey, on March 29, 2011. Hide Caption 9 of 14 Photos: Photos: New Jersey's other Boss Chris Christie: New Jersey's other Boss – Christie and his wife, Mary Pat Christie, arrive at the White House for a state dinner on January 19, 2011, in Washington. Hide Caption 10 of 14 Photos: Photos: New Jersey's other Boss Chris Christie: New Jersey's other Boss – Christie exits the voting booth after casting his vote on November 3, 2009, in Mendham, New Jersey. Christie beat incumbent Democrat John Corzine for the gubernatorial position. Hide Caption 11 of 14 Photos: Photos: New Jersey's other Boss Chris Christie: New Jersey's other Boss – Christie and his running mate, Sheriff Kim Guadagno, left, make phone calls to voters at Monmouth County Republican Headquarters on November 2, 2009, in Freehold, New Jersey. Hide Caption 12 of 14 Photos: Photos: New Jersey's other Boss Chris Christie: New Jersey's other Boss – Then U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Christie pauses on May 8, 2007, before a news conference concerning a thwarted terrorist plot to attack the U.S. Army's Fort Dix outside Trenton. Hide Caption 13 of 14 Photos: Photos: New Jersey's other Boss Chris Christie: New Jersey's other Boss – Christie works in his office in Newark on June 16, 2003. Hide Caption 14 of 14

"Today, I leave the race without an ounce of regret," Christie wrote on Facebook.

I ran for president with the message that the government needs to once again work for the people, not the people work... Posted by Chris Christie on Wednesday, February 10, 2016

The decision marks a sudden end for someone once seen as a potential front-runner. In the wake of the 2012 election, Christie appeared poised for a strong bid for the Republican nomination -- he won a second term as the Republican governor of a blue state and led the Republican Governors Association, giving him a perch to travel the nation fundraising for other Republicans and building his stature.

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