Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) says home state Sen. Cory Booker Cory Anthony BookerBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility Democratic lawmakers call for an investigation into allegations of medical neglect at Georgia ICE facility MORE (D) could have what it takes to defeat President Trump Donald John TrumpBubba Wallace to be driver of Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin NASCAR team Graham: GOP will confirm Trump's Supreme Court nominee before the election Southwest Airlines, unions call for six-month extension of government aid MORE.

Speaking at a Washington Post event Friday, Christie called the former Newark mayor "talented" and "articulate" and said Booker could be a force to be reckoned with in 2020.

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"[I] hope that he stays in this campaign to the roots that I saw him establish in New Jersey," Christie said. "He was someone who was pro-voucher, he was pro-charter school, he was somebody who was tough on crime in the city of Newark.

"If he stays in that lane and is the articulate, inspirational guy that he is, then I think he's got a legitimate chance to be a serious potential problem for the president in the general election," Christie added. "[But] if he just goes way, wacky left, he's going to be just another one of those people and he won't be able to distinguish himself."

Christie's comments come after Booker announced his 2020 candidacy Friday morning, coinciding with the start of Black History Month. He joins fellow Sens. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisJoe Biden looks to expand election battleground into Trump country Fox's Napolitano: Supreme Court confirmation hearings will be 'World War III of political battles' Rush Limbaugh encourages Senate to skip hearings for Trump's SCOTUS nominee MORE (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenJudd Gregg: The Kamala threat — the Californiaization of America GOP set to release controversial Biden report Biden's fiscal program: What is the likely market impact? MORE (D-Mass.) and Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten GillibrandSunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Suburban moms are going to decide the 2020 election Jon Stewart urges Congress to help veterans exposed to burn pits MORE (D-N.Y.) in what is expected to be a crowded Democratic primary field.

Booker touted his experience Friday in a video proclaiming his ties to Newark and touting himself as "the only senator who goes home to a low-income, inner-city community."

“I believe that we can build a country where no one is forgotten, no one is left behind; where parents can put food on the table; where there are good-paying jobs with good benefits in every neighborhood; where our criminal justice system keeps us safe, instead of shuffling more children into cages and coffins; where we see the faces of our leaders on television and feel pride, not shame,” Booker said in the video.