N.J. Gov. Chris Christie keynoting Tennessee GOP fundraiser

Arkansas-Tennessee Live Blog
photo In this Feb. 20, 2014, photo, Gov. Chris Christie gestures at a town hall meeting in Middletown, N.J.

NASHVILLE - Tennessee Republicans will get a first-hand look at New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, widely considered as a potential 2016 presidential candidate, with the blunt-speaking governor designated as the keynote speaker at the state GOP's annual Statesmen's Dinner on May 30, officials announced today.

"This year Tennessee will prove, once more, it is a blueprint for Republican success for the rest of the nation," Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney said in a news release. "We are thrilled to have Gov. Christie here to highlight that message because he knows what it takes to win and lead."

The announcement comes as Christie continues to deal with the fallout of an ongoing scandal over lane closures at the George Washington Bridge in September with allegations that they were political payback by top Christie aides against mayors not supporting Christie's re-election bid last fall.

While Christie is visting in May, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is already in Tennessee today where he is scheduled to join with with fellow Republican Gov. Bill Haslam and U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., in an education discussion with business leaders.

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