Tom Gallagher

September 17, 2009 - 7:53am

INSIDE EDGE

How Jeb got in to the Christie event

By Wally Edge

Former Mercer County Executive Robert Prunetti, out of office for six years and damaged goods after then-U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie sent his Chief of Staff and other members of his administration to jail, seems to be seeking a comeback as a man of influence. Prunetti has seemingly forgiven Christie for sending Harry Parkin to prison, and is now helping to raise money for the GOP gubernatorial candidate. Several of the donors who attended a Christie fundraising event at the Princeton Hyatt last night were there at the invitation of Prunetti, who was the County Executive from 1992 to 2004.

One lobbyist who says Prunetti called him about the event says that the former County Executive seemed to enjoy walking former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush around the room - before anyone realized the campaign was not thrilled that the former President's brother was there. Bush was invited by Tom Gallagher, a Christie fundraiser and businessman.

The Christie campaign seemed genuinely surprised that Bush was in attendance. Maybe the senior staff didn't know he would be there, but someone on the campaign did. A pre-printed name tag that read "Governor Jeb Bush" was on the table awaiting his arrival.

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