State Sen. Kevin O’Toole (R-40) solidified his status last night as Gov. Chris Christie’s legislative right arm and Essex County GOP conduit to the Republican Party’s statewide action apparatus.

At his annual fundraiser at Il Tulipano, again featuring Christie as the keynoter, O’Toole raised in the neighborhood of $225,000 at an event, all told, attended by 700 people.

“There is no one I count on more in the Legislature than Kevin O’Toole,” Christie told the crowd. “He is a friend who was encouraging to me in 2009 when no one thought I can win.”  

O’Toole was moved by the governor’s words.  

“I’m deeply honored that the governor took time from his busy schedule,” said the senator from Cedar Grove. “I gladly signed up to be a foot soldier for Chris Christie. It means you have to move forward. It means you have to be seen and heard. We have one shot in our lifetime, and Chris Christie is moving mountains. I really believe in him. We make a good team.”

Those in attendance included Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick (R-21), state Sen. Tony Bucco (R-25), state Sen. Joe Kyrillos (R-13), state Sen. Steve Oroho (R-24), Assemblyman Scott Rumana (R-40), Assemblyman David Russo (R-40), Bergen County Executive Kathe Donovan, LD 39 GOP Assembly candidates Rob Hermansen and Karen Mastriano, and former state Sen. Bill Gormley, up from Atlantic County.