Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker endorsed New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in the Republican presidential primary on Friday, arguing that Christie is best suited to govern in Washington’s highly partisan environment.
Advertisement
On the afternoon of Monday’s Iowa caucuses, Baker was asked whether he might campaign in New Hampshire before the primary there.
Mr. Hogan, a Republican, was running in a state with a 2-1 Democratic to Republican advantage, and Mr. Christie made several trips to the Free State to campaign for him and even donated money during the final stretches of the race.
Shown a copy of Trump’s statement, Baker said: “I can’t believe that I’m reading this, which is basically directly in contrast and in conflict with most of the most important values that people in this country hold most dear, among them the right and the ability to practice your religion peacefully”.
New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary is Tuesday.
The governor who resisted the urge to attack GOP rivals and instead focused on Democrats Hillary Clinton and President Obama has been replaced by a candidate who needs no urging to go on the offensive against his competition. Baker and Polito plan to join Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan at a rally for Christie in Bedford, N.H. on Saturday morning.
Though Christie lags behind, the Boston Globe reported that “Baker is personally fond of Christie and wants to stem the rise of more conservative candidates”. He has targeted Florida Senator Marco Rubio relentlessly, but Rubio is drawing bigger crowds here and doing well in the polls.
But after listening to Baker, Russell said he would vote
for Christie.
“I very much appreciate that he was someone who took a real interest not just in the political aspect of all this but helping Karyn and me succeed”, Baker said.
“I would really like to see the nominee be somebody who has the kinds of experience and can demonstrate an ability to work across the aisle”, he said before formally backing his fellow governor.
Advertisement
Christie sank to 4% in the latest CNN/WMUR New Hampshire tracking poll, falling behind Donald Trump, surging Florida Sen.
