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Source: Massachusetts Governor Will Endorse Christie

Gov. Charlie Baker will endorse New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's bid for the Republican presidential nomination today, a source confirmed -- repaying Christie for his strong support during Baker's own race for governor in 2014.

By O'Ryan Johnson

Gov. Charlie Baker will endorse New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's bid for the Republican presidential nomination today, a source confirmed -- repaying Christie for his strong support during Baker's own race for governor in 2014.

Baker will appear at a rally with Christie tomorrow in New Hampshire, and will also appear in TV testimonials.

Christie stumped for Baker in Massachusetts in 2014. Christie served as chairman of the Republican Governors Association that year when the organization funneled millions to support Baker's run.

Baker's win was one of several GOP gubernatorial victories that prompted Christie to say of the new GOP governors of 2014, "This class I get to call mine."

Christie got only 1.8 percent of the vote and finished third from the bottom in the Iowa caucuses. The New Jersey governor is seen as having an uphill battle in New Hampshire, where front-runner Donald Trump is ahead by double digits in polling.

Baker has made no secret of his disdain for Trump.

In December, a disgusted Baker condemned Trump's call for a "complete and total ban" on Muslims entering the U.S.

"I was literally just finishing a wonderful ceremony at the State House lighting a menorah, which is all about religious freedom and democracy and liberty, and I just thought it's completely inappropriate," Baker said at the time.

"It runs against what I think was sort of one of the founding principles of this country, which is religious tolerance, religious freedom," Baker added. "I think it's the wrong thing to do and the wrong message to send, especially this time of year. I think the notion ... is simply ridiculous."

(c)2016 the Boston Herald

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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