If you were worried that Gov. Christie wouldn't make it back to New Hampshire after the massive storm (and politics) convinced him to return to New Jersey for some momentary in-state governing, calm your fears.

As New Jerseyans dig out from a record snowfall, they can be warmed by the thought that the governor is back where he really wants to be -- on the presidential campaign trail.

Why did Christie hurry back to New England?

Why to hang out at a party to watch the New England Patriots play the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, according to his campaign.

(OK, there's a townhall in Portsmouth, too.)

Even though Christie is falling in the New Hampshire polls, he found a friend: Ellen Christo of Hampton Falls, N.H., will welcome Christie -- a Dallas Cowboys fan -- to her party, presumably to root for Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and the rest of the Patriots (hated here by Giants and Jets fans) in their quest for a second consecutive Super Bowl championship.

To make sure New Hampshire voters wouldn't forget him while he was gone, the governor left his wife behind.

I will be going home this afternoon, but Mary Pat is staying. #Jonas — Chris Christie (@ChrisChristie) January 22, 2016

The winner of the Patriots-Broncos game will play the winner of the NFC Championship between the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers, also being played on Sunday, in Super Bowl 50 on Feb. 7 in Santa Clara, Calif.

Christie, you'll remember, took some heat for hedging on whether he would stay in New Hampshire during Jonas, causing people to recall his first blizzard as governor, which he botched by taking his family to Disney World.

Christie on Friday announced he would return to New Jersey -- but not for long.

He did, however, find time to pat himself on the back ("When the Chips Are Down, I Deliver") during a CNN interview that his campaign posted to YouTube.

Kevin Manahan may be reached at kmanahan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KevinCManahan. Find NJ.com on Facebook.