Massachusetts Gov. Baker endorses Christie in GOP primary

Baker acknowledged that his relationship with Christie contributed to him deciding to back the New Jersey governor.

After his endorsement, Baker will campaign with Christie in New Hampshire over the weekend, the people said. “And on this one I think Governor Christie has a very strong track record”.

Baker said he and Polito, who stood next to the governor at a Statehouse press conference on Friday, decided to make an endorsement after Cruz and Trump’s strong showings in the Iowa caucuses.

Baker also questioned whether Trump has the right temperament and sense of goal to serve in government.

With just a few days left until the New Hampshire primary candidates are still getting last minute endorsements.

For months, Baker has strived to remain neutral in the nominating contest, but said he and Polito had discussions after Cruz and Trump emerged from Iowa with momentum despite being what Baker described as “not folks who’ve demonstrated an ability to collaborate, work across the aisle and to get stuff done in a public setting”.

Baker, who benefited during his 2014 campaign from more than $11 million in spending by a political group then led by Christie, announced his backing for Christie on Friday, joined by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. Marco Rubio of Florida, who Christie likens to Obama, and forceful dismissals of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, both widely considered Christie’s chief rivals.

Baker said he’s known Christie for about five years.

Hogan is scheduled to appear alongside Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker at a morning rally for Christie in Bedford, N.H. It will be Hogan’s second visit to the Granite State on behalf of Christie, who blew off this week’s Iowa caucus and poured all his efforts into New Hampshire.

Christie came to Boston last January to attend Baker’s inauguration.

In embracing Christie, Baker could be seen as not only showing loyalty to a political ally, but choosing one of the more moderate options from a field of Republican contenders where Trump and the conservative Texas Sen. – Gov. Chris Christie doesn’t just want to debate Hillary Clinton if given the opportunity, he wants to “beat her rear end on that stage”.