AP: No Role for Dr. Ben Carson in Trump Administration |

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson will not be taking a position in President-elect Donald Trump's administration.

Carson business manager Armstrong Williams tells The Associated Press that Carson has opted out of being considered for any cabinet or other administration positions, including leading the Department of Health & Human Services and the Department of education.

Carson had never been officially offered a role in the Trump administration, but Williams says the president-elect had made clear he wanted his former rival-turned-adviser in some role.

But he says Carson "always knew that he could be more effective with the president-elect outside the administration."

Meanwhile, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says he intends to remain as governor but would consider a Trump administration post if offered.

Christie spoke Tuesday on WPG talk radio from the Republican Governors Association conference in Florida. Christie says he has "every intention" of staying on as governor until 2018 when his term ends.

Christie chaired President-elect Donald Trump's transition team until he was made vice chairman last week.

He says he told Trump that if he is asked to serve he would consider a position in the administration.

Christie was among the earliest backers of Trump, lending his vocal support soon after the businessman's New Hampshire primary victory.

Trump's victory comes after the nearly six-week George Washington Bridge lane-closure trial in which two of Christie's former allies were convicted.