Republicans across America have high hopes for Bruce Rauner's campaign to be the next governor of Illinois. Appearing with him Wednesday in Springfield was New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
Christie is head of the Republican Governors Association, which last week gave Rauner another $2 million. That brings its total support for the wealthy candidate to $6 million.
Christie headlined a pair of fundraisers with Rauner in Springfield, then stopped at Brickhouse, a downtown restaurant and bar, to pose for pictures with supporters.
"I'm thrilled to be back in Illinois," Christie said. "I'm going to be back a number of times over the course of the next 55 days."
The Springfield fundraisers were Christie's third visit to Illinois in support of Rauner. Asked how much cash they raked in, a spokesman said via email: "We make a habit not to publicly discuss our campaign fundraising."
Republicans believe incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn's relative unpopularity gives them a good shot at winning the state's top job for the first time since the 1990s.
