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.

New Jersey Republican leaders have a history of backing presidential candidates running for the second time: they went for John McCain in 2008 (and not in 2000), for Bob Dole in 1996 (and not in 1988), George H.W. Bush in 1988 (and not in 1980), and Ronald Reagan in 1980 (and not in 1976).