Christie rises to number two spot at Republican Governors Association

Columbia, South Carolina (CNN) – He's not running for president, but Chris Christie is stepping up his political activity on the national stage.

The New Jersey governor, one of the most popular elected officials within the GOP, has been tapped by his peers to serve as Vice Chairman of the Republican Governors Association, CNN has learned.

Christie now becomes one of the top two figures at the RGA, under Chairman Bob McDonnell, the governor of Virginia.