New Jersey Gov. Christie has arranged a getting-to-know-you session with prominent Republicans in the early primary state of South Carolina next week — a sign that Christie is still serious about a presidential bid despite more aggressive moves by other potential GOP candidates so far this year.
The “meet and greet” with Christie will take place next Wednesday at a law firm in downtown Columbia, according to a copy of the invitation obtained by CNN.
Invitees include business leaders, state legislators and Republican power-brokers from around the state, a GOP source with knowledge of the event said.
The confab was arranged by the South Carolina Republican Party, state Rep. Phyllis Henderson, and Republican attorney Leighton Lord, a college friend of Christie’s from the University of Delaware.
Christie will be in South Carolina next week to attend the inauguration of Gov. Nikki Haley, who was re-elected in November.
The New Jersey governor headed the Republican Governors Association in 2014 and is attending a number of inaugurals this month for GOP governors he aided in last year’s elections.
To date, Christie has largely steered clear of South Carolina and its conservative-leaning electorate, opting to spend more time in Iowa and New Hampshire, the two leadoff nominating states.
But Christie campaigned in South Carolina with Haley late in last year’s election, drawing receptive crowds in some of the state’s more conservative regions.
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