New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is cashing checks from all sorts of unlikely places, from George Soros’ hedge fund executives to professors at the University of California at Berkeley, a Newark Star-Ledger review of state and federal records found.
Five executives at Soros Fund Management — including the liberal billionaire’s protege and chief investment officer, Scott Bessent — have donated a combined $19,000 to the governor’s re-election campaign, The Star-Ledger reports.
Recent polls show Mr. Christie, a Republican, gaining popularity among Democrats and independents as experts and donors speculate on a potential run for the White House in 2016.
Mr. Christie’s friendly relationship with President Obama after Hurricane Sandy could be part of the reason for growing support, as his gubernatorial challenger, Democrat Barbara Buono, continues to be lesser known among constituents.
“While I do not agree with his stance on every issue, he is one of the best political leaders I have talked to in a long time,” Ken Rosen, a UC-Berkeley professor who donated $3,800 to Mr. Christie, told The Star-Ledger. “He is willing to take on tough issues such as pension reform, education reform, mental-health issues, even if his views are not politically correct.”
The Star-Ledger also found that Tim Mullen, an investor who gave more than $100,000 to Democrat Rahm Emanuel’s campaign for Chicago mayor in 2011 and bundled from $200,000 to $500,000 for Mr. Obama in 2008, has sent Mr. Christie a maximum donation, as has his wife, Alice.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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