New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is coming back to Iowa on October 25 to raise money for Governor Terry Branstad’s 2014 campaign.
Christie did a solo appearance at a Branstad for Governor fundraiser in 2010. At the time, a gushing Terry Branstad said Christie was such a dynamic orator, Christie reminded him of Ronald Reagan.
Christie is now chairman of the Republican Governors Association and is helping raise money for the 36 gubernatorial races around the country, but his visit to Iowa adds to the speculation about Christie’s ambitions for the White House. Christie has already been to Iowa this year to help Branstad raise money. Christie spoke at a fundraiser in the Quad Cities in mid-July after appearing at a campaign-style hand-shake event at a cafe in Marion.
The October 25 event will be held in central Iowa, in Clive, and is Branstad’s annual “Birthday Bash.” Last year’s “Bash” was held in November and another prospective 2016 candidate — Wisconsin Congressman and 2012 GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan — was the headliner. Florida Senator Marco Rubio, another 2016 prospect, was the keynote speaker at the 2012 Branstad Birthday Bash.