(Vosizneias) On Tuesday, June 30, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie opened his 2016 campaign for president and declared he’s “out to change the world.” The Republican governor, a one-time GOP favorite who faded and is now trying to climb back, told a kickoff rally that his last 13 years as a U.S. attorney and governor have been about “fighting for fairness and justice and opportunity” and he wants to do the same for the country.

“America is tired of hand-wringing and indecisiveness and weakness in the Oval Office,” he said. “We need to have strength and decision-making and authority back in the Oval Office. And that is why today I am proud to announce my candidacy for the Republican nomination for president of the United States of America.”

Four years ago, some of Christie’s backers tried to persuade him to challenge President Barack Obama. In the years since, he won re-election with ease, but also struggled to revive New Jersey’s moribund economy and fought with the state’s Democratic-controlled legislature over pensions and the state budget. In fact, Christie’s poll numbers at home have sunk to record lows. New Jersey’s economy is lagging and there have been nine credit downgrades on Christie’s watch.

The governor faces a tough sell with many conservatives, but has seemingly found his stride at times in visits to early voting states with the lively town hall meetings he’s known for at home. There will be plenty more of those now that he’s an affirmed candidate.