NJ Governor Christie Stumps for Kashkari in San Francisco

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who leads the Republican Governor’s Association (RGA), appeared at a $10,000-per-head luncheon in San Francisco on Friday, and campaigned earlier in the day in support of Neel Kashkari’s efforts to unseat Governor Jerry Brown in November’s general election. 

Christie did not state, however, whether the RGA would be spending money to support Kashkari’s fight.

“He’s got work to do. He knows he’s got work to do. He didn’t just wake up this morning, OK? He knows how difficult this race is,” he said according to the Sacramento Bee

Christie adds that he believes Kashkari has a chance: “No one thought I was going to win in 2009,” Christie said referring to his race against unpopular Democratic opponent Jon Corzine. New Jersey is a Democratic-leaning state.

Christie threw his and the support of the RGA behind Kashkari. However, he did announce any financial contributions by the RGA to his campaign. The RGA notes on its website that it entered the 2014 election cycle with more than $45 million cash on hand. 

The RGA reportedly gave $2 million to the California Republican Party in 2010, writes the Bee.

Brown has done almost no campaigning, while Kashkari appeared on radio and television throughout the primary, spending $2 million of his own funds to overcome his rival Tim Donnelly.

Both Christie and Kashkari distanced themselves from comments made earlier in the week by Texas Gov. Rick Perry on homosexuality. Perry had said, explaining his support for states’ right on the issue: “I may have the genetic coding that I’m inclined to be an alcoholic, but I have the desire not to do that, and I look at the homosexual issue the same way.” 

Christie said the comparison is “wrong,” and Kashkari said “I disagree with him on his comments about sexual orientation,” the Bee reports.

Photo: AP

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