Transfer of power to Lt. Gov. Guadagno 'was never a necessary consideration,' spokesman says Watch video
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Gov. Christie, shown Wednesday at Port Newark, is at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville after having difficulty breathing on his way to a bill-signing ceremomy in Hillsborough this morning.SOMERVILLE — Gov. Chris Christie was hospitalized this morning after he complained of having trouble breathing, according to the governor's office.
A spokesman, Michael Drewniak, said Christie suffers from asthma, and was taken to Somerset Medical Center in Somerville "out of an abundance of caution."
Drewniak said the governor was "doing fine" and undergoing tests.
Asked whether there would be a transfer of power to Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, Drewniak said: "That was never a necessary consideration. He was never incapacitated, has been alert throughout and is in contact with senior staff from the hospital."
Maria Comella, Christie's director of communications, said she did not know when the governor would be released from the hospital.
William Palatucci, a close friend of the governor, said he had been in contact with senior staff members, who told him Christie was watching news about himself on the television and trying to do some work.
"I have some fundraising calls he can make," he quipped.
The two black SUVs that transport the governor were parked outside the emergency room of the Somerset Medical Center, along with a tan one often used to transport his wife and children.
Inside the Statehouse, it appeared to be business as usual. Around 12:30 p.m., Guadagno was seen walking from Christie's office with a cup of coffee and chatting with a colleague.
At town hall events, Christie often tells audiences that he has asthma. When explaining the difference between the federal government's health care plans and New Jersey's, he describes going to his local pharmacist to refill his inhaler prescription.
Christie had been scheduled to attend a bill-signing ceremony at 10:30 a.m. in Hillsborough, but the event was canceled. He also called off an appearance on "Ask the Governor" scheduled for 7:30 tonight on 101.5 FM in which he was to take questions.
Christie, 48, has acknowledged having trouble keeping down his weight, which was the subject of controversial campaign ads during the 2009 governor's race against the incumbent Democrat, Jon Corzine. He has been working with a personal trainer in an effort to reduce weight.
"I'm really struggling, been struggling for a long time with it," Christie said in an interview on the CNN program "Piers Morgan Tonight" broadcast last month. "And I know that it would be better for my kids if I got it more under control, and so I do feel a sense of guilt at times about that."
Staff writer Megan DeMarco contributed to this report.
Follow Statehouse reporter Ginger Gibson's tweets from the scene on Twitter.
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• Gov. Christie is taken to hospital after having difficulty breathing