Christie campaigns for Walker

WLUK TV

Updated: May 2, 2012 8:50 AM

HOWARD — Met with a standing ovation from supporters, Governors Scott Walker and Chris Christie didn't take long to rally them to support Walker for the pending gubernatorial primary.

The two also looked ahead to the June 5 recall.

"I'm asking for your vote on May 8 and then I'm asking for your vote again, four weeks later on June 5,” said Walker. “Now some of you might say that's odd because I just asked for your vote on Nov.2, 2010, but I'm asking for it again because I think this is the clearest choice in America."

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was in Wisconsin Tuesday to campaign for fellow Republican Gov. Scott Walker. A campaign fundraiser luncheon was held at Rock Garden Supper Club in Howard.

Walker is facing a recall election that has become a national showdown over union rights.

Walker will face Arthur Kohl-Riggs in next week's May 8 Republican primary. The Democratic recall primary features Kathleen Falk, Kathleen Vinehout, Tom Barrett, Doug La Follette and Gladys Huber. The general recall election is June 5.

During the campaign fundraiser luncheon, Walker touted the Act 10 reforms, the law that stripped most collective bargaining powers for most public employee unions.

The governor said the reforms helped balance the state's $3.6 billion budget deficit.

“And we certainly didn't do it through budget tricks and gimmicks because that's what got us into trouble in the first place in the past,” said Walker. “Instead we put in place long-term structured reforms."

Christie, who has also battled with the teachers union and forced pension and health care concessions from union workers, says Walker has made tough, but sound choices for the state.

"This is a struggle that Scott is enduring right now because he chose to put the interest of all the people of Wisconsin ahead of the interest of a narrow group of citizens of Wisconsin," said Christie.

More than 250 Walker supporters attended the event. However, they were not alone.

Roughly two dozen protesters gathered outside of the fundraiser.

Some of the protesters said Tuesday’s visit by Christie highlights the support Walker receives from out-of-state interests.

In a statement from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Chairman Mike Tate says:

"Chris Christie and Scott Walker have been leaders, each in their own way, in shrinking the middle class, rolling back the freedoms their states have enjoyed and salting the earth for the working families they were put into office to serve."

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Wisconsin lost more jobs in the past year than any other state.

The state lost 23,900 jobs from March 2011 to March 2012.

High-priced entry

The price for the reception was $200 for a couple’s ticket, $100 for a single ticket. A private meeting roundtable with both governors set couples back $2,500. For a photo, well, that was another $1,000.

Supporters at the event say what Walker has done for the state is why they will vote for Walker again.

"We've had a tremendous turn around in the fortunes of our state and I'm here to give my support to the man that made it happen," said Saied Assef, an anesthesiologist in Green Bay.

Walker and Christie were not available for individual interviews.

Walker's campaign said their tight schedules would not allow it.

From Howard, Walker and Christie headed to landscaping company KEI Enterprises in a Milwaukee suburb.

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