Christie ends gay marriage fight.

TRENTON, N.J. -- Gov. Chris Christie dropped his fight against gay marriage in New Jersey on Monday, framing the decision in a pragmatic way: No point in fighting a losing battle.

Just hours after gay couples began exchanging vows with the blessing of New Jersey's Supreme Court, Christie announced he was withdrawing his appeal to the high court.

New Jersey is the 14th state to legalize gay marriage.

As the Republican governor seeks re-election two weeks from now and ponders a run for president in 2016, Christie's decision holds both risks and benefits for him.

It delighted gay rights activists and could enhance Christie's appeal to independents and moderates of both parties. But it angered members of the GOP's conservative wing, which already distrusts Christie and wields outsized influence in some state primaries.

Last year, the New Jersey Legislature passed a bill to legalize gay marriage, but Christie vetoed it. The issue ended up before Christie again after a trial-level judge ruled last month that the state must allow same-sex couples to wed.

Christie...