New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is meeting Tuesday with technology leaders in Northern Virginia in what is sure to be read as another sign that he is looking to expand his base of support beyond his political backyard.
Bobbie Kilberg, a veteran GOP fundraiser and head of the Northern Virginia Technology Council, said she is hosting the roundtable luncheon for Mr. Christie at LMI, a technology company in Tysons Corner.
“This is not a fundraiser, and it is not a meeting of potential donors,” Ms. Kilberg said. “It is simply a gathering, so the technology community can get to know the governor.”
Mr. Christie has yet to announce whether he plans to run for president in 2016, though a Christie ally said Tuesday that the governor is likely to launch a federal leadership political action committee soon.
The ally described the formation of the PAC as “imminent.”
Phil Cox, who served as executive director under Mr. Christie at the Republican Governors’ Association, and Ray Washburne, who has served as finance chairman of the Republican National Committee, are expected to play roles in the PAC. So is Michael DuHaime, who served as the lead strategist on Mr. Christie’s gubernatorial campaigns in 2009 and 2013.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, another likely 2016 GOP presidential candidate, also is scheduled to be in the Washington region on Tuesday to meet with political power brokers.
Ms. Kilberg, meanwhile, said she expects 92 people to attend the roundtable meeting with Mr. Christie. She said most of them are CEOs and presidents of technology companies, and four university presidents also will there.
Ms. Kilberg, who supported Mitt Romney in 2012, said she first talked with Mr. Christie about setting up a roundtable meeting in the fall. She has not announced who she will support.
“This is just a gathering to get to know the governor and have a discussion on the economy and technology issues,” she said. “Nothing more should be read into it.”
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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