New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie endorsed Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.) for reelection, pledging to go “all in” for the top GOP target.
During a Monday afternoon press conference in the state Capitol, Christie praised LoBiondo for his dedication to his district, and said he would hit the trail and fundraise for the congressman during his campaign.
{mosads}“I’m all in on this one, people,” he said, according to PolitickerNJ.
LoBiondo, too, pledged to run a serious campaign.
“I am determined to make this effort the very best that I can,” LoBiondo said. “I love what I do.”
Democrats believe LoBiondo could be vulnerable. The 2nd District has a slight Democratic advantage, and President Obama won it in 2012 and 2008 with more than 50 percent of the vote.
He’s already facing one challenger in attorney Bill Hughes Jr. The son of former Rep. Bill Hughes (D-N.J.), the Democrat jumped in the race late last year.
Hughes slammed LoBiondo for announcing Christie’s endorsement outside of the 2nd District, charging that he’s “been in D.C. so long that he’s forgotten about our middle class struggles and values.”
“It is the height of hypocrisy that LoBiondo, who voted with the Tea Party to shutdown [sic] the government, who voted to cut Veteran’s benefits and against unemployment benefits, would announce his re-election in someone else’s congressional district, and soon after, head back to Washington for a fundraiser hosted by a multi-billion dollar Florida corporation,” Hughes said in a statement. “It’s a good thing that South Jersey is on the way from Trenton to D.C. so he can stop by and visit us on the way.”
State Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D) is also looking at challenging LoBiondo.