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NJ Governor Christie Visits Arkansas To Tout GOP Candidates

Tom Cotton
Michael Hibblen
/
KUAR News

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is touting the Republican Party's nominees for governor and the U.S. Senate in Arkansas, as the GOP tries to build on its recent gains in a state that had been a Democratic holdout in the South.

The potential 2016 presidential hopeful headlined a rally Friday morning in Jonesboro with gubernatorial nominee Asa Hutchinson and U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton, who is trying to unseat Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor.

Christie downplayed Cotton's vote opposing legislation aimed at helping victims of Superstorm Sandy. 

Pryor has repeatedly criticized Cotton for voting against legislation to help victims of the storm that hit New Jersey, New York and Connecticut two years ago Wednesday.

Cotton has defended his vote against the $50.5 billion relief measure in 2013, saying the legislation included funding for projects that didn't help storm victims. Cotton said he supports annual Federal Emergency Management Agency funding and the traditional disaster aid process.

Christie says he will never agree with Cotton on everything, but agrees with him more than Pryor.

Christie praised Hutchinson, who is running for governor against Democratic rival Mike Ross, as someone voters can be assured is "one of you."

The two races highlight an election Tuesday where Republicans are hoping to complete a takeover of Arkansas' top offices.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour also headlined the rally.

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