Ahead of highly-anticipated speech tonight, governor told donors he is not running for president, according to those present at California fundraiser Watch video
Gov. Christie said today he has no plans to run for president in the 2012 election.SANTA ANA, Calif. — Gov. Chris Christie told a crowd of donors that he is not running for president, according to those who joined him for a fundraising lunch in southern California today.
Christie was direct with the group of roughly 40 wealthy donors in Santa Ana, saying current speculation about his presidential ambitions in 2012 is wrong.
According to some of the 40 donors who were in the room at a private steakhouse fundraiser, Christie himself dismissed the idea that he was currently preparing to run for president.
Todd Christie, his brother, introduced him as “the guy who's supposed to be running for president," said Yuri Vanetik, 41, a private equity executive from Portland Beach.
"It was a joke, and Christie of course said 'No, no, I'm not,'" Vanetik said after leaving the restaurant.
Guests paid at least $15,000 to spend just over an hour with Christie, according to several attendees.
Earlier this afternoon as he walked into Morton's, on Sunflower Avenue in Santa Ana, Christie refused to answer questions about Monday’s comments from former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean, who said Christie was seriously considering a run for the White House.
No New Jersey legislators or current officials are in attendance, beyond the governor's immediate staff and close adviser Bill Palatucci.
The event, which is closed except to ticketed guests, marks his first appearance in California today, ahead of a centerpiece speech this evening. Christie will address a crowd at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, as part of their ongoing Perspectives on Leadership series.
The speech is scheduled for 9 p.m. tonight and will be streamed live.
By Juliet Fletcher/Statehouse Bureau Staff
Previous coverage:
• Gov. Christie's office releases excerpts from upcoming speech
• Video: Gov. Christie may be 'Born to Run,' but can he sing?
• Tom Moran: Why Gov. Chris Christie should run for president
• Former Gov. Kean re-ignites flame of speculation that Christie will run for president
• Gov. Chris Christie remains adamant about not running for president
• Gov. Christie won't enter presidential race, his brother insists