New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie raised money for Arkansas Republican gubernatorial nominee Asa Hutchinson on Wednesday and warned that Democratic gubernatorial nominee Mike Ross would raise taxes and bring Washington-style politics to Arkansas if elected.
Christie, chairman of the Republican Governors Association, attended fundraisers in Rogers and Little Rock for Hutchinson.
During a side trip to Lindsey's restaurant in North Little Rock, Christie told reporters that Arkansas "is our No. 1 pickup opportunity in the country" for the association.
He said Hutchinson's background and experience make him the best-prepared "challenger candidate" for governor across the nation, and "there is a sense here in Arkansas that it is time for a change of direction and I think Asa will provide that change in direction in a very positive way."
Christie also defended the association's television ad critical of Ross' sale of his family's pharmacy in 2007 -- a day after Ross' campaign called the ad "slanderous."
Earlier this week, a spokesman for the Republican Governors Association said "Ross has a history of making sweetheart deals, including this instance where he sold his family pharmacy for far more than it was worth." The association started airing the television ad about the deal this week.
Christie said that "is absolutely true, and [Ross] would rather not have people talk about those kind of issues. But I stand behind the ad."
In response, Ross said Hutchinson "has a proven history as a hyper-partisan, and it's the absolute highest form of hypocrisy for him to stand next to the leader of a bitterly partisan D.C.-based organization and preach to Arkansans about the dangers of partisan politics."
Ross' spokesman said Ross will always oppose raising taxes, and "it's ironic for scandal-plagued New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to attack Mike Ross on fiscal responsibility while New Jersey is having to make drastic cuts to education as credit rating agencies continue to downgrade New Jersey's credit outlook due to fiscal mismanagement -- which is exactly what will happen as a result of Congressman Hutchinson's tax plan."
Hutchinson is also facing ads that question his integrity.
Jobs and Opportunity, a group affiliated with the Democratic Governors Association, announced last week that it started airing a television ad accusing Hutchinson of "cheating on his taxes" and "not telling the truth." Hutchinson has disputed the allegations.
Hutchinson received homestead tax credits on two houses. Arkansas law grants taxpayers only one such exemption per year. Four weeks ago, Hutchinson voluntarily repaid $1,750 in tax credits and penalties that are established under state law. He initially reported the double claims and repaid $1,050 in tax credits in 2012. He announced for governor in January 2013.
Hutchinson and Ross are vying to succeed Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe in the Nov. 4 general election. Green Party nominee Joshua Drake of Hot Springs and Libertarian nominee Frank Gilbert of Tull also are seeking to be the state's chief executive.
Christie said he likes Beebe, who has endorsed Ross as his successor, but Beebe "is wrong on this race."
"If you like what is going on in Washington, D.C., if you think that is effective governance right now, then vote for Ross," Christie said. "I don't think you need [House Democratic leader and former House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi's foot soldier being governor of Arkansas and that is what Mike Ross has been."
Asked whether the association's ad is accurate, Hutchinson said he "hasn't even looked at that history.
"I have focused on what I want to do for Arkansas and so that is what is important. I'll let Mike Ross respond to it," he said.
Metro on 08/28/2014