MIAMI (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is leaving behind a political scandal back home and raising money for fellow Republicans in Florida this weekend.
Christie is the headliner at a series of fundraisers to help Florida’s governor, Rick Scott, and the state party.
The events are giving Christie his first chance since the scandal escalated to reassure big financial donors that he remains a viable presidential contender for 2016.
The apparent political payback scheme caused massive traffic jams last fall by closing local access lanes to the George Washington Bridge, one of the world’s busiest bridges.
Many Republicans have come to Christie’s defense and credited him with taking responsibility for the scandal.
Other GOP leaders say his future will depend on whether his account of what happened proves accurate.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
