Quote:

---

Chris Christie leaves Bridgegate and heads to Texas to help GOP — Rick Perry and Greg Abbott send regrets

Christie will be in Dallas and Fort Worth on Thursday for Republican governor fundraisers. Likely GOP gubernatorial nominee Greg Abbott will not join Christie. An aide said Abbott will be in Houston as part of a statewide series of appearances on immigration. The RGA was a major donor to Gov. Rick Perry when he ran for reelection. Perry spokesman Rich Parsons said the governor also would not be attending. http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2014/02/chris-christie-leaves-b
ridgegate-behind-and-heads-for-texas-to-raise-gop-money.html/

---

Quote:

---

Illinois GOP gov hopefuls keeping their distance from Christie

Embattled New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, struggling to get ahead of the bridge scandal, hits Chicago on Tuesday for Republican Governors Association fundraisers, but the four Republicans running for Illinois governor did not have plans to attend.

I asked spokesmen for the four Illinois rivals in the March GOP governor’s primary on Thursday whether they would attend any of the fundraising events Christie will headline in Chicago on Tuesday.

Wes Bleed, a spokesman for state Sen. Kirk Dillard R-Hinsdale said, “no, we won’t be attending any Christie events.”

Brian Sterling, a spokesman for Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford, said “he knows nothing about the event and is not involved in any way.”

Dan Egler, a spokesman for state Sen. Bill Brady R-Bloomington, said “right now, no.”

Mike Schrimpf, a spokesman for investor Bruce Rauner — and a former RGA spokesman — told me, “We don’t have his schedule completely finalized for next week yet.” http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/25453134-452/illinois-gop-gov-hopef
uls-keeping-their-distance-from-christie.html

---