Stumping in Stamford: NJ Gov. Christie Campaigns for Republican Tom Foley

Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley and lieutenant governor candidate Heather Somers are hoping that the support of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will push them over the edge and unseat incumbent DemocratsDannel Malloy and Nancy Wyman.

Christie returned to Connecticut Tuesday evening, making two appearances in Stamford — at Curley’s Diner and Bobby Valentine’s sports bar in the city’s Columbus Park, where there was a fund-raiser for the Republican Governors Association of which Christie is chairman. Also returning were members of the Greenwich Council Against Gun Violence.

Foley said he welcomed Christie’s second visit in two months. “We’ve got a lot of regional issues that matter to both of the states and to the citizens of both of the states,” Foley said while at Curley’s.

A Quinnipiac University poll puts Foley and Malloy pretty at a toss-up for voter approval in the Nov. 4 election, with Foley having a slight lead over Malloy who was mayor of Stamford for 10 years, according to WTIC.

“We intend to put a significant amount of time, energy and resources into this race in Connecticut,” Christie said.

“I’m a Republican from New Jersey. I know what it’s like to be in a state like this. You don’t expect it to be a blowout,” added Christie who attended three fund-raisers in Foley’s hometown of Greenwich in July.

According to The Courant, so far this year the RGA has contributed $2.1 million to a Foley Super PAC — $500,000 more than the $1.6 million the group donated to Foley’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign.

The ENOUGH Campaign and the Greenwich Council Against Gun Violence held a peaceful demonstration during Christie’s appearances, in to call attention to the importance of protecting Connecticut’s gun safety laws.

Jonathan Perloe, leader of the Greenwich Council Against Gun Violence, said, “Gun policy is one of the top concerns for CT voters in the upcoming election. We’re here today because we want the public to know where the candidates stand on gun safety measures so they can cast informed votes on November 4.”

Future campaign fund-raisers for Foley include Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal coming to a private West Hartford home on Oct. 19 and former presidential candidate, author, and magazine entrepreneur Steve Forbes coming to Greenwich on Oct. 22, according to The Courant.

Photo: screenshot from WTIC.

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