Mitt Romney

U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-Cliffside Park), right, and Gov. Jon Corzine.

The headlining presence of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney at a Chris Christie fundraiser last night in Holmdel rankled U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-Cliffside Park), who made particular note of Romney and Christie's shared allegiance to former President George W. Bush, a bottom feeder on New Jersey public opinion polls for the bulk of time he served in office.

"Chris Christie is kicking off his (general election) campaign with a conservative Republican whose extreme right-wing positions couldn't be more out of touch with New Jersey residents," Lautenberg said of Romney, a failed 2008 candidate for president.

"Mitt Romney has repeatedly denounced President Obama's economic recovery package, has declared his opposition to a woman's right to choose, condemned the President's selection of Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court, and proven himself to be a prime supporter and was a cheerleader for George W. Bush," Lautenberg said in a Democratic State Committee press release.

While running for president, Romney said he was a "conservative's conservative" and didn't hide his admiration for Bush.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, on his way to becoming the pick of the New Jersey GOP establishment if he runs for President in 2012, will be in New Jersey next Thursday to headline a fundraiser for the New Jersey Republican State Committee.  Romney came in the week before the primary to endorse Christopher Christie for Governor.  State Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R-Middletown), Christie's campaign chairman, was Romney's N.J. chairman in 2008.

Phyllis Schalfy

Team Lonegan countered the debonair presence of Mitt Romney standing in the rival camp of Chris Christie earlier today by rolling out the endorsement of conservative Constitutionalist Phyllis Schlafy, founder of the Eagle Forum.

"Steve Lonegan is the only candidate for Governor of New Jersey who is going to cut taxes, save traditional marriage, and protect the sanctity of life," she said. "Eagle Forum PAC enthusiastically endorses his Republican candidacy for Governor.

"The recent court victory for traditional marriage in California demonstrates that traditional marriage can be saved even in the most liberal states,” Schlafy added. “But we have to support principled candidates like Steve Lonegan to protect our most sacred institution: marriage. Lonegan is the only true pro-life candidate in the race and he will not back down from his principles."

Romney endorses Christie for governor in Haddonfield **Photo courtesy of the Christie campaign

The Associated Press reported today that former Massachusetts governor and 2008 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney stood in front of Haddonfield Borough Hall with gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie and told a crowd of about 50 people that “New Jersey has tried liberal and it's time for the state to have a chance to try conservative.”

Romney’s New Jersey campaign chairman last year was state Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R-Middletown), who also serves as campaign chair for his close friend, Christie.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will join GOP gubernatorial candidate Christopher Christie at stops in Cranford, East Rutherford, Ridgewood and Hoboken on Saturday as part of Christie's "Take Back New Jersey" bus tour.

Mitt Romney's decision to pick a horse in the New Jersey Republican gubernatorial primary likely accomplishes two things: it boosts former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie's standing among conservatives, and it strengthens Romney's chances of picking up organizational and fundraising support in New Jersey if he seeks the 2012 GOP nomination for President.

Christie leads former Bogota Mayor Steven Lonegan, who has been the de facto leader of the conservative wing of the New Jersey GOP for the last six years, by 23 percentage points, according to a poll released last week by Quinnipiac University.  Christie has appealed to conservative Republican primary voters through endorsements from other conservatives, including U.S. Rep. Christopher Smith (R-Hamilton), whose seal of approval among pro-life voters is important.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will be in Haddonfield tomorrow to endorse Christopher Christie for the Republican nomination for Governor, a move that enhances Christie's conservative credentials in the days leading up to the June 2 Republican primary.  Romney is viewed as a top contender for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination.

In the 7th District, Leonard Lance and Linda Stender both brought the heavy hitters in today.

Lance had a fundraising luncheon this afternoon with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who yesterday raised money for Lance's 3rd District counterpart, Chris Myers.

Stender is having a diner sit down in Woodbridge with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), who’s made at least three trips to New Jersey this election cycle, campaigning for for Stender, 3rd District Democratic candidate John Adler and 5th District candidate Dennis Shulman.

MEDFORD -- Expect to see more of Mitt Romney in New Jersey.

In May, he founded the Free & Strong America PAC. He was here today to raise money for the congressional campaigns of Chris Myers, after doing the same for Leonard Lance. And he thinks he’ll probably be here next year to help whoever the Republican gubernatorial candidate will be.

When asked if he expects to be here next year, Romney said “My guess is yes.”

MEDFORD -- Former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate Mitt Romney came to this quaint little one traffic light downtown tonight to help its mayor become a Congressman.

In a short press conference just before attending a private, $1,000 per head fundraiser for Chris Myers at a private residence in Southampton, Romney, who recently founded Free & Strong America PAC, touted Myers a kindred spirit – a fellow businessman suited to carry on the legacy of retiring Rep. Jim Saxton, who was also present.

“Chris is a person who has experience in the military sector, the private sector and the public sector,” said Romney, standing in front of a gazebo in a small park. “All three areas have given him the kind of perspective which gives him a unique opportunity to help the people of this district.”