Politics & Government

Chris Christie: No Plans to Campaign for Astorino

Protestors of NJ Gov. Chris Christie's veto of gun control legislation and CT gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley gather in Greenwich as donors pay thousands for a chance to meet the men.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, while campaigning in Connecticut Monday for Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley, said he had no plans to campaign for fellow Republican Rob Astorino, who is running for governor in New York against the formidable Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Patch Editor Barbara Heins filed the below report about the Connecticut event and included Christie's comments about the New York gubernatorial race. 

In a deliberate effort to ratchet the momentum of his quest for the Republican gubernatorial race in Connecticut, Greenwich businessman Tom Foley pulled out the artillery Monday with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie coming to Greenwich for three separate appearances.

Christie's schedule included two private fund-raisers that attracted a Who's Who in Connecticut GOP circles as well as about 150 protestors — including dozens from Newtown and Sandy Hook where 26 students and teachers died at the hands of a crazed gunman in December 2012 — who decried Christie's veto of the New Jersey gun magazine law last month. The protestors also were vocal in their opposition to Foley's support of gun rights advocates.

Glory Days for Locals
It all started at the Glory Days Diner on East Putnam Avenue where area Foley supporters gathered to meet the candidate and Christie who arrived about 5:30 p.m. where he was greeted by Foley and his wife Leslie, along with Connecticut State Republican Committee Chair Jerry Labriola Jr. 

Diner owner Ted Triantafillou said the event had been in the planning stages for several weeks. The popular Greek diner previously was the venue for former Connecticut U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman's popular 'Cup of Joe with Joe' with constituents. The diner has never experienced "nothing like this with the crowd, the press, the cameras," as it did at the July 21 event, according to Triantafillou.

After spending about 20 minutes greeting locals and posting for photos, Christie said his objective as president of the Republican Governors Association (RGA) is to "commit the resources necessary to get Tom's race over the line. … This is not going to be my last time (in Connecticut) for Tom. The RGA is committee to get Tom Foley over the finish line." 

Foley, who won his party's endorsement at the May 17 state GOP convention, faces an Aug. 12 primary against eight-term state Sen. John McKinney of Fairfield. The winner will face incumbent Democratic Gov. Dannel Malloy who eked out a win over Foley in 2010 by 6,000 votes.

"This is not going to be my last visit for Tom Foley," Christie added. "He's a good man who should've been elected governor."

It's a 'no go' in New York State
When asked by reporters at an impromptu press conference at the Glory Days diner, Christie said he doesn't have plans to campaign for New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino, the Westchester County Executive who's challenging Democratic incumbent Andrew Cuomo. 

"I will spend time where we have chances — where the races are close," Christie told a crushing phalanx of press crowded into a corner of the diner. "If the New York race becomes competitive, I'll consider spending time in New York," said Christie, who's president of the Republican Governors Association.
   
After posing for dozens of photos with supporters young and old alike, Christie headed to the gated waterfront Greenwich community of Belle Haven.

A quick side trip
The crowds were gathering at the entrance to Belle Haven, but they would have a bit of a wait before Christie arrived.

Before Christie headed to the home of hedge fund founder Brian Olson, now president and chief investment officer of Kokino LLC, that oversees the investment of the Sackler family fortune that is benefactor to several educational and arts organizations across the country, the governor's entourage made detour.

Christie's entourage, with the Foleys riding along, pulled into the Relais and Chateau rated Thomas Henckelmann Homestead Inn for a private fund-raiser for unnamed supporters of the Republican Governors Association. About 15 supporters, who made unspecified donations, were scheduled to attend that soiree, according to a Foley aide.

The protest
By all accounts, protestors in support of tougher gun laws began gathering at the intersection of the public streets and the private Belle Haven neighborhood about two hours before Christie's scheduled arrival at about 7 p.m.

A bus load of 50 Newtown and Sandy Hook residents came to Greenwich, many wearing black T-shirts bearing 'We Are Newtown 12.14.12', with the green ribbon that's become synonymous with the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

"It's all about Christie vetoing the bill to reduce magazine from 15 to 10 and Foley allying himself with Christie," said Sue Ludwig, a mother of four including two who were students at the school when the shootings occurred. "Our kids are not trivial. Going from 15 to 10, could mean five more lives are saved. It could be my daughter. I was in the parking lot, I saw things that no one should ever see."

Ryan Patrick, a 14-year-old from Newtown who was a part of the protest group organized by Connecticut Voters for Gun Safety, said of his participation, "I feel like its the right thing to do and people should know what Christie said is not OK."

As the sun lowered in a pale blue sky, at least four uniformed Greenwich Police officers and numerous plain clothes detectives kept an eye on the crowd and directed traffic along the narrow, two lane, tree-lined streets.

Across the intersection, about a dozen Second Amendment rights advocates held signs and voiced their support of Christie and Foley, who's said that if he were governor, the stricter Connecticut gun laws enacted by the legislature, would not have been signed.

"Many of us are doctors and lawyers who enjoy shooting," said Julius Magyari of Stamford. "We are the minority who want to let our voices be heard. We all are responsible gun owners and have 30 to 40 years of gun experience. What happened was a travesty in Hartford. The real issue is a mental health issue — they knew he (Sandy Hook shooter Adam Lanza) had a problem and no one took care of it."

It was about 6:54 p.m. when the Foleys arrived unannounced and unnoticed in a car driven by a Foley campaign aide. About 15 minutes later Christie's black Chevrolet Suburban anonymously pulled up to the stop sign at the intersection.

Pro gun control advocates were shouting "not one more," as gun rights advocates countered, "I agree … I need guns to protect my children." Old Greenwich resident Trish Hussey said she waited for nearly two hours for Christie to arrive. "I hope he heard us," she said.

Jonathan Perloe of the Greenwich Council Against Gun Violence said, "We're not here for Christie but because of Christie. Foley quite clearly said no new laws affecting gun legislation would be passed if he were governor. We want to make sure that voters in Connecticut know here the candidates stand."

Chrisite's vehicle rolled through the intersection, headed to Olson's home where the host committee included former Connecticut Republican U.S. Sen. candidate Linda McMahon, former Ambassador and President George H.W. Bush brother-in-law Craig Stapleton, Greenwich businessman Peter Orthwein, Greenwich philanthropist and Republican National Committee finance committee member Leora Levy, Republican supporter Audrey McNiff, former U.S. Ambassador Charles Glazer, retired venture capitalist Larry Lawrence and Avon Republican Town Committee member Stephen Vicino.

About 100 supporters had RSVP'ed to the event where ticket donations started at $10,000 — unless you were a "young Republican 35 and younger" for whom tickets were $250. Both Christie and Foley said they didn't know how much money would be raised at the events.

As the the protest disbanded, several participants took some of the Greenwich Police officers assigned to traffic detail, for "being here — keeping us safe."


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