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Chris Christie’s wife, Mary Pat, has stepped down from her high-paying job at an investment firm as her husband prepares for a likely presidential run, the New Jersey governor’s aide said on Friday.

“Mrs. Christie has decided to take a hiatus from her work in the finance world to spend more time with her family and young children,” said Kevin Roberts, Mr. Christie’s spokesman. “She recently resigned her position as a managing director at Angelo Gordon.”

Mr. Christie is expected to announce his candidacy in the crowded Republican field for the 2016 race either next month or in June.

Mrs. Christie has earned as much as $500,000 a year in her job, according to disclosures. Her resignation represents a major financial sacrifice for the family: She earns far more than her husband, who has frequently joked at events about his lucky choice of a spouse who works on Wall Street.

“Listen, I just have three words for you: joint checking account,” he has said.

As recently as 2010, Mr. Christie had indicated privately to friends that he might not even run for governor again, given that he has four children to support and needed to make money.

The news on Friday of Mary Pat Christie leaving her job was first reported by Fox Business.