Chris Christie is returning to Iowa to headline Gov. Terry Branstad’s annual birthday celebration Oct. 25, the Des Moines Register reported Tuesday.
The event, headlined last year by Rep. Paul Ryan, is an important stage for Republicans hoping to run for president. It will mark Christie’s second trip to Iowa so far. During his previous jaunt through the Hawkeye State earlier this year, Christie also stumped for Branstad.
As chairman of the Republican Governors Association, Christie has a convenient excuse to participate in such events for a Republican governor such as Branstad. But Branstad has maintained a comfortable lead over his Democratic opponent, Jack Hatch, and hardly needs help from a big-name party surrogate.
In a statement provided to the Register, Branstad said he is “very pleased” to have Christie join him.
“He has provided unmatched leadership at the Republican Governors Association, which includes record-breaking fundraising during his tenure, and we are thankful for his continued efforts to help elect Republican governors across the country,” Branstad said. “I am looking forward to a fun night with friends and family.”
Christie has recently been accelerating his preparations for a presidential bid in 2016. In addition to trips to Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, all important states in a presidential primary, Christie has been meeting with prominent Republican donors.
The New York Times reported recently that Christie assured one such group of donors that he is in good health to run for president, having lost 85 pounds so far.
