Chris Christie hits back against recent attacks in new ad

Chris Christie is hitting back against attack ads, saying a divided Republican Party could boost the Democrats’ chances.

The Christie campaign on Wednesday released an ad responding to recent attacks from a super PAC backing Marco Rubio. The advertisement is slated to run in New Hampshire.

The 30-second spot — dubbed “We Need to Keep Our Eye on the Ball” — features a clip of Christie, the New Jersey governor, speaking at Saint Anselm College.

“Do not be fooled: Any significant division within the Republican Party leads to the same awful result — Hillary Rodham Clinton in January of 2017 taking the oath of office as president of the United States. This country cannot afford that outcome, and thus we Republicans have a duty — I believe a profound, moral duty — to work together,” he said.

The advertisement comes just days after Conservative Solutions PAC, a super PAC backing Rubio, released an advertisement — “Favorite” — that accuses Christie of embracing the policies of President Barack Obama.

“Chris Christie, one high tax, Common Core, liberal energy loving Obamacare Medicaid expanding president is enough,” said the 30-second Conservative Solutions PAC.

According to national polling averages compiled by RealClearPolitics, Christie is in fourth place with 4.8 percent support. He trails Rubio, who is in third place with 11.5 percent support, according to national polling averages.

In New Hampshire, Rubio has a smaller lead over Christie. According to averages of New Hampshire polls compiled by RealClearPolitics, Rubio is in second place with 13.3 percent support; Christie in in fourth with 11.3 percent support in the Granite State.

The Christie campaign also announced six more hires to support expanding efforts.