NJ Gov. Christie to be in Iowa and 2016 spotlight

FILE - This file photo - June 25, 2014, file photo shows, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie as he addresses a gathering at a town hall meeting in Haddon Heights, N.J. Christie insists he happens to be in Iowa as part of his duties as chairman of the Republican Governors Association, to raise money for other politicians. He tells The Associated Press: “I'm not gearing up to run up for president.” But Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, for example, doesn’t need Christie’s help. Branstand is a five-term Republican sitting on $4 million and has outraised his Democratic challenger 10-1 in campaign cash. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File) FILE - This file photo - June 25, 2014, file photo shows, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie as he addresses a gathering at a town hall meeting in Haddon Heights, N.J. Christie insists he happens to be in Iowa as part of his duties as chairman of the Republican Governors Association, to raise money for other politicians. He tells The Associated Press: “I'm not gearing up to run up for president.” But Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, for example, doesn’t need Christie’s help. Branstand is a five-term Republican sitting on $4 million and has outraised his Democratic challenger 10-1 in campaign cash. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)

By Associated Press July 16, 2014 1 min read

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Chris Christie heads the Republican Governors Association and says that’s why he’ll be in Iowa on Thursday – to raise money for other politicians.

Iowa, of course, is an important early-voting state in the presidential nominating calendar. But the New Jersey governor tells The Associated Press that he’s “not gearing up” for a White House run.

But who might need Christie’s fundraising help?

Not Iowa’s governor, Terry Branstad, for example. The five-term Republican is sitting on $4 million and has outraised his Democratic challenger 10-1 in campaign cash.

Christie has a packed Thursday with events across Iowa.