Christie crashes Guadagno’s League keynote slot

christie-guadagnoThe civil war of sorts between Governor Chris Christie and his #2, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, which spilled into the open over the gas tax fight, has now taken yet another potentially bizarre turn, Save Jerseyans.

Here’s what happened:

Guadagno was slated to give the keynote at Thursday’s luncheon at the annual League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City. As the GOP front runner to replace her boss as the Republican stand bearer next year (or sooner, if he gets a Trump Administration position), she was expected to be the ‘star’ attraction and hint at her policy priorities moving forward in a speech anticipated by the regional press corps, elected officials and conference attendees alike.

Here’s the original program listing advertising the luncheon:

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Governor Christie, for his part, hasn’t addressed the conference in years (since 2011). He’s been busy running the RGA, a presidential campaign and, at least until Election Day, a federal transition effort.

That changed early Wednesday evening when the Christie Administration’s Thursday schedule was released to the media.

Christie is now slated to deliver remarks at the luncheon as surprise update to the event schedule. As of Wednesday, he was still in Miami for the annual gathering of the Republican Governors Association (RGA) which he used to lead.

Guadagno is now opening for her boss, speaking at 12:15 ahead of Christie’s newly-carved out 1:15 spot on the schedule.

According to our well-placedĀ Save Jersey sources, this is just the latest divergence between the former allies, a situation that’s placing considerable (and increasing) stress on their respective staffs. It’s unclear whether Christie’s decision to crash Guadagno’s speaking opportunity is designed to represent a mere lack of consideration or, alternatively, an opportunity to provide a counterpoint to whatever she might say that may diverge from the Governor’s own positions.

The NJGOP was forced to take sides immediately before Election 2016, sending out glossy mailers in support of Ballot Question #2, a constitutional question which narrowly passed with Christie’s support but Guadagno’s strong opposition.

Developing….

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