This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Sept. 27, 2011 - High-profile New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie attracted more than $500,000 for the Missouri Republican Party at a fundraiser Monday night, one of several that he headlined while in the St. Louis area Monday and today.
Christie's string of local GOP gatherings ended with a breakfast this morning for Republican congressional candidate Ann Wagner.
The state Republican Party reported this morning that at least 475 people attended its fundraising event with Christie, which was held Monday night at a private residence. The event raised about $500,000, a spokesman said.
Although the spokesman declined to give the location, a video of part of Christie's speech makes clear that the state GOP event was held in the pavilion at Hunter Farms, the estate of Stephen and Kimmy Brauer.
No word yet on how much Christie raised for Wagner at the breakfast in Clayton.
The Republican chief executive will be headlining a fundraiser for the New Jersey Republican Party at noon today at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton, according to New Jersey Republican Party spokesman Rick Gorka. Missouri Republican Party spokesman Jonathon Prouty said Christie will also be headlining a fundraiser later tonight for the Missouri Republican Party at a private residence.
Christie will also be on hand at Tuesday's fundraiser for Ann Wagner, who is running for the GOP nomination in the 2nd congressional district. According to a post on Wagner's website, the event will take place at 8 a.m. Tuesday at the Sheraton Clayton Plaza Ballroom in Clayton. The minimum donation is $250; the maximum is $2,500 a person or $5,000 a couple.
Also on Monday, U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., announced -- in a statement distributed by the Wagner campaign -- that he is backing Wagner's candidacy. Writing that he is "committed to doing everything I can to help her win," Blunt predicted that Wagner -- the chairman of his Senate campaign last year -- "will make a terrific Republican congresswoman, working with us to repeal the Obama agenda, cut taxes, end out-of control spending, create jobs, and put America on the right track."
Blunt said Wagner "has deep roots in the 2nd congressional district, and has devoted her time and energy to our local Republican Party and to more charitable and community causes than I can mention. Her private sector business experience is desperately needed in Washington right now."
Ed Martin, an attorney and former chief of staff for Gov. Matt Blunt, is also running for the Republican nomination for the seat.
Christie's visit to the Show Me State comes as speculation increases that he might run for president, especially as Texas Gov. Rick Perry may be experiencing a decline in his political fortunes. Politico reported that Christie is reconsidering his decision not to enter the race for the GOP nomination.
Christie has in the past emphatically stated he would not run for the presidency in 2012. He even went so far to say "short of suicide, I don't really know what I'd have to do to convince you people that I'm not running."
Sean Soendker Nicholson of Progress Missouri sent out a press release this morning stating that "a broad coalition of working families, seniors and community activists" will be rallying at noon today outside of the Ritz-Carlton against Christie's "brand of radical, mean-spirited politics." Progress Missouri describes itself as "a multi-issue progressive advocacy organization."
Gorka said there is not a press avail planned before or after the event. Prouty also said "there will be no press component" for the fundraiser.
Washington correspondent Robert Koenig contributed to this story.
Jason Rosenbaum, a freelance journalist in St. Louis, covers state government and politics.
