Just one day following President Barack Obama's endorsement of Newark Mayor and Democrat Cory Booker for U.S. Senate, N.J. Governor Chris Christie endorsed Republican candidate Steve Lonegan.
Christie announced his support for Lonegan, former mayor of Bogota, on Thursday at the Hunterdon County Republican Headquarters in Flemington, N.J.
"Steve, as usual, ran the type of spirited, principled campaign that he has been known for his entire professional career in the primary," Christie said to the crowd at the headquarters. "And I am proud to have him as our candidate for the United States Senate."
The governor also emphasized that Lonegan will have plenty of support as the special election on Oct. 16 approaches.
"This will not be the only time Steve Lonegan and I will be together between now and Oct. 16," Christie said. "The apparatus of the Republican Party is going to be behind Steve Lonegan."
Lonegan faces a tough battle against Booker, who has become a rising star of the Democratic party. A Monmouth University/Asbury Park Press poll released earlier this week estimated the mayor at 16 percentage points ahead of Lonegan.
Michael Czin, spokesperson of the Democratic National Committee, criticized Christie for supporting Lonegan, who he claims would work to limit women's access to healthcare and repeal President Obama's healthcare overhaul.
Despite Czin's criticism, Christie said he holds many of the same beliefs with Lonegan.
"Steve and I have believed, and still believe, in so many of the same things - we believe in lower taxes, and limited government, we believe in people having more freedom to do the things that they believe are right for themselves and their families without government interfering in those choices," he said.
Christie himself is preparing his run for re-election on Nov. 5 and has been making several public appearances with New Jersey residents discussing different issues, such as medical marijuana use for children.
