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Christie lands RNC fundraising chief for possible ’16 bid

FILE - In this Jan. 8, 2015 file photo, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks with people on the floor of the House Chamber of the Statehouse, in Boston, following the inauguration of Massachusetts Republican Gov. Charlie Baker. With a White House race perhaps in the future, Christie must first do some work at home. His fifth State of the State address Tuesday, observers say, will serve as a platform to articulate the rationale for his expected 2016 campaign and to help define his tenure as governor on his own terms. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
FILE - In this Jan. 8, 2015 file photo, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks with people on the floor of the House Chamber of the Statehouse, in Boston, following the inauguration of Massachusetts Republican Gov. Charlie Baker. With a White House race perhaps in the future, Christie must first do some work at home. His fifth State of the State address Tuesday, observers say, will serve as a platform to articulate the rationale for his expected 2016 campaign and to help define his tenure as governor on his own terms. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) FILE - In this Jan. 8, 2015 file photo, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks with people on the floor of the House Chamber of the Statehouse, in Boston, following the inauguration of Massachusetts Republican Gov. Charlie Baker. With a White House race perhaps in the future, Christie must first do some work at home. His fifth State of the State address Tuesday, observers say, will serve as a platform to articulate the rationale for his expected 2016 campaign and to help define his tenure as governor on his own terms. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

By Associated Press 2 min read

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) – The Republican National Committee’s top fundraiser is stepping down this week as he prepares to join New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s prospective presidential campaign.

Texas-based fundraiser Ray Washburne told The Associated Press on Monday, “I won’t be the national finance chairman at the end of the week.” He declined to comment further because Christie has yet to announce his 2016 intentions.

The move comes as White House prospects begin speeding up their 2016 timelines because of the aggressive steps taken by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who has hosted private meetings with top political donors in recent weeks. Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney told donors late last week that he, too, is thinking about running, adding his name to the list of as many as a dozen high-profile Republicans considering a campaign.

Christie may face more pressure than others to get in, because Bush and Romney are likely to attract some of the same establishment-minded donors. Washburne was a leading fundraiser for Bush’s brother, former President George W. Bush. His move was first reported Monday by The New York Observer.

Christie’s team is expected to start making moves to raise money for a prospective presidential campaign by the end of the month, according to a person who has been in touch with Christie’s team, but who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to discuss the plans publicly.