The Republicans’ $100 million man is worth a bit less than that for Rep. Steve King.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has helped to bring in more than $100 million as chairman of the Republican Governors Association, the group announced this week — more than double the fundraising total posted by the Democratic Governors Association this year.
In addition to his RGA duties, Christie, a potential contender for the presidency in 2016, has headlined fundraising events for candidates in some important presidential primary states, such as Iowa.
But the haul at a recent fundraiser for King, at the Hole N’ the Wall Lodge in Akron, Iowa, was far less impressive.
The event, held Oct. 25, was priced at $25 per person. Between 50 and 75 people attended — with an overall haul of just $3,000, approximately, according to a source with direct knowledge.
That’s a pretty small fundraising event by congressional race standards, but especially when a potential presidential candidate is headlining.
And some of those Iowans who attended weren’t altogether impressed by Christie. One attendee, John Ymker, told a New Jersey news outlet that he was still irked by Christie’s public appearances with President Obama in New Jersey following Hurricane Sandy, which some Republicans interpreted as inconsiderate toward Republican candidate Mitt Romney.
“Birds who flock, fly together,” Ymker said.
The small fundraising intake by Christie with a conservative Republican crowd hints at some pitfalls he might face during a Republican presidential primary in Iowa. An NBC News/Marist poll earlier this year showed that one-third of Iowans already have decided they dislike Christie, and his more moderate Republican views might not play well during a primary among the party’s base.
