Report: NJ Gov. Christie Avoids Traffic by Flying to CT Fund-Raisers

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie apparently had an aversion to possible traffic jams when he traveled earlier this week from the Garden State to the Nutmeg State for a series of fund-raisers for Connecticut Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley.

According to a Hearst Connecticut Newspapers report, Christie avoided traffic — especially the rush-hour on the George Washington Bridge — by using a New Jersey State Police helicopter to fly to the Westchester County Airport,  so he would arrive on time for the July 21 fund-raisers in Foley's hometown of Greenwich. 

When Christie arrived at the airport that's just over the New York — Greenwich border in Purchase, NY, he was met by his security detail, according to the report which cited "multiple law enforcement sources."

The helicopter ride cost $10,000 and will be paid by the Republican Governors Association, of which Christie is chairman, and the Connecticut GOP, according to the report. News of the flight brought criticism by New Jersey Democrats including deputy speaker of the New Jersey House, Assemblyman John Wisniewski. A Christie spokesman told Hearst any criticism was politically motivated.

After the flight, Christie was driven by his security detail in a Chevrolet Suburban bearing New Jersey license plates to the Glory Days Diner in central Greenwich. He spent about 20 minutes greeting dozens of Republican supporters and then nearly the same amount of time answering questions from the media. Then it was on to a private fund-raiser at the Relais and Chateau-rated Thomas Henckelmann Homestead Inn in the Belle Haven neighborhood of Greenwich for a private fund-raiser with unnamed supporters of the Republican Governors Association.

After nearly an hour at the Homestead, Christie then attended a fund-raiser at the Belle Haven home of hedge fund investor Brian Olson where supporters paid $1,000 to $10,000 to meet the governor and Foley, who is seeking a rematch of the 2010 gubernatorial race and unseat incumbent Democratic Gov. Dannel Malloy. Foley faces fellow Republican, state Sen. John McKinney of Fairfield in an Aug. 12 primary. Malloy defeated Foley, who was endorsed by Connecticut Republicans at their May convention, by less than 6,500 four years ago.

This isn't the first time Christie has been criticized for the use of a state police helicopter. In June 2011, Christie caught flack when he used a state police helicopter to fly to a baseball game in which his son was playing.

The Hearst Newspapers report, which did not say which transportation mode Christie used to return to New Jersey, can be found here.