BOSTON (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie attended the swearing-in of Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker yesterday and had strong praise for his fellow Republican’s inaugural address.
“It was very Charlie. He was himself, laying out the priorities that he laid out during the campaign that he’s now looking to achieve,” Christie told reporters. “I’m looking forward to seeing what happens.”
Christie, a potential GOP presidential candidate, campaigned for Baker in his role as leader of the Republican Governors Association last year.
The RGA spent at least $10.5 million in support of Baker’s campaign through the Commonwealth Future independent expenditure political action committee, or super PAC.
Christie brushed aside a question about when New Jersey treasury officials might release an audit of a $10,000 donation Baker made to New Jersey’s Republican Party in 2011, shortly before that state’s pension fund invested in a venture capital firm with ties to Baker.
“I have no idea. It’s not my responsibility to review it,” Christie said. “That’s why I have a treasurer, everybody.”
Democrats have suggested that Baker’s donation and the subsequent investment by New Jersey could have been in violation of the state’s so-called pay-to-play law. The Massachusetts Democratic Party as recently as Wednesday called for Christie and Baker to release the findings of the audit.
Christie also attended the inauguration of Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday and was expected to attend inaugurals for other Republican governors in the coming days.
