Acoording to media reports, New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie is likely to announce his move into the 2016 US presidential race next week.

WASHINGTON, June 24 (Sputnik) — New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie is likely to announce his move into the 2016 US presidential race next week, media reported on Wednesday.

“Gov. Chris Christie is nearing a decision on his presidential bid and could announce his decision as soon as next week,” the Hill reported.

Christie’s announcement will add him to the growing list of nearly a dozen other Republican presidential candidates, pitting him against household names including billionaire Donald Trump, former Florida Governor and younger brother of a former US President – Jeb Bush.

Meanwhile, the most recent approval rating of the New Jersey governor appears to have dropped by six points to 30 percent, according to a Farleigh Dickenson University poll released on Tuesday.

The governor has already formed a Political Action Committee that allows him to accept donations in advance of a possible run for the 2016 US presidency.

Christie was elected in 2010 as governor of New Jersey and is currently serving his second term in office.