The Hill News

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) told a group of Iowa GOP activists Tuesday that he won't be running for president in 2012, but he did agree to visit the first in the nation caucus state this year.

Christie met with seven GOP donors from Iowa at the governor's mansion, who traveled there in an attempt to lure him into the GOP primary field. But, true to his word, Christie said he is not running for president.

{mosads}“He understands the country’s problems, but feels very strongly that he has that commitment to New Jersey to continue to serve,” Republican activist and ethanol executive Bruce Rastetter told The Des Moines Register. “It was exactly wh! at we intended it to be, short of him saying he’d run."

The move by the Iowans was seen as a sign that there is dissatisfaction with the current crop of GOP candidates vying to unseat President Obama in 2012.

Though he said he would not run, Christie did tell the activists he accepted an invitation from Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad (R) to speak at a state education conference over the summer.

“So we’re excited his voice will be in Iowa in July and addressing education issues that are important to our state and our country,” said Rastetter.

Many Republicans have looked to Christie as a potential dark-horse candidate who could shake up the 2012 field.

But Christie, who is well liked by national Republicans, has repeatedly said he will not run. That hasn't stopped speculation that he could still enter the race, however. Christie has joked that he'd have to commit suicide to convince people he isn't running.

Christie has said he wants to attend to state business in New Jersey and finish out his first term, which began just last year. He has also seen his approval rating plummet to its all time low over the past several months. 

But Christie is still expected to play a role in the 2012 campaign and his endorsement! will be widely coveted -- former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), two contenders for the nomination, have already visited New Jersey to court him.