Brief: Christie Attends Downtown GOP Fundraiser

Gov. Chris Christie was the guest of honor Monday evening for a $10,000- a-plate private dinner for the state Republican Party at Sweet Waters. The fundraiser, hosted by Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield), closed the popular downtown restaurant for the evening. Christie entered the restaurant shortly after 7 p.m. and left just before 10 p.m. The governor could be seen chatting with his top political adviser, Bill Palatucci of Westfield, prior to getting into his SUV to leave for the evening. The guest list for the fundraiser was not made public, but Patch learned it was kept small in order to provide an "intimate" evening for attendees. The money raised at the event likely will be used in the battle for state legislative seats this fall. Christie hopes to pick up several seats in the state Senate; published reports indicate that Republicans are targeting three Democratic senators in Atlantic, Bergen and Mercer counties. A state police advance team arrived at the Elm Street restaurant prior to the governor's arrival with parking spaces blocked off for the governor's motorcade in front of the restaurant. The fundraiser came the same night as a campaign kickoff fundraiser for Republican Fourth Ward Councilman Jim Foerst around the corner at 16 Prospect. Palatucci briefly attended Foerst’s fundraiser before heading to the Christie event.