Reports: Christie Visits Mahwah Campus Amidst Township Politicians’ Endorsement

Governor Chris Christie’s visit to Ramapo College Tuesday focused on state education funding, according to a NorthJersey.com report.

Christie discussed a $1.3 billion state bond referendum benefitting higher education institutions in the state, the report said. Ramapo is in the midst of making improvements to its campus infrastructure using $20 million in state funding.

According to NJ.com, Christie also used the “campaign-style rally” to criticize the government shutdown in Washington.

"That's a failure," Christie told a crowd of about 100 Ramapo students, NJ.com reported. "That's a failure of people in public life for everybody in this country that is depending on a government that will get its stuff together."

The appearance in Mahwah fell on the same day the Christie reelection campaign announced an endorsement by all of Mahwah’s current government officeholders.

According to a NorthJersey.com blogpost, Mahwah’s Mayor, Bill Laforet, an independent, and all six sitting council members, Lisa DiGiulio, Chuck Jandris, Roy Larson, John Roth, Steve Sbarra and Harry Williams, have endorsed Christie for Governor.

Though Mahwah’s local government elections are non-partisan, elected officials cited Christie’s “willingness to work with members of the other party,” in their endorsement, the post said.

Laforet posted an explanation of his endorsement on his “Team Laforet” Facebook page Wednesday.

“I back Governor Christie’s re-election wholeheartedly and look forward to another four years of strong, bipartisan leadership and continued job creation for New Jersey residents,” Laforet posted. “His willingness to reach across the aisle to work with lawmakers and community leaders of both parties has returned common sense and results to government, re-energized our state’s economy and delivered landmark reforms that are working for our state and our families.”