Christie launches new 'Truth' ad seemingly intended to draw contrast with Haley

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie launched a new advertisement on Sunday to target independent voters in New Hampshire, seemingly intended to contrast himself with former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley without using her name, as he aims to outperform her in the first-in-the-nation primary.

The 30-second spot, titled «The Truth» — shared first to ABC News — features Christie assuring voters directly to camera that he'll tell them the truth, even when met with criticism, as opposed to tailoring his message to what he thinks a crowd wants.

«Most of the other candidates in this race are all trying to look into people's eyes and figure out what they want to hear. I'm looking into people's eyes and knowing that the truth is ultimately what they need to hear and what they deserve to hear,» Christie says, taking on a calm and conversational tone from his New Jersey home.

«Even at times when you get booed for doing that, or when you get chastised for doing it, the truth is the one non-negotiable commodity,» he adds. «We've got to stick with it.»

The ad is part of both a previously announced seven-figure buy and within a series intended to target independent voters with blunt, direct-to-camera messages and will air this week on TV and digital platforms in New Hampshire, where Christie's campaign has staked on a strong showing.

«Christie has always been willing to tell the truth regardless of what people may think,» a spokesperson with details of the ad told ABC News. «This is a stark contrast from Haley who today refused to tell voters the truth about Trump.»

The messaging comes after a voter interrupted Haley on Saturday as she was wrapping a town hall in Indianola, Iowa, to express disappointment that she hasn't taken on former