Tony Cook

tony.cook@indystar.com

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is backing congresswoman Susan Brooks in the race to replace Gov. Mike Pence on the November ballot.

In a letter distributed to Indiana's 22-member Republican central committee, Christie says Brooks represents the "best chance" to continue GOP leadership in Indiana.

"Susan is a proven leader, a proven conservative, and a proven campaigner," Christie, who like Brooks is a former U.S. attorney, said. "She has a well-deserved reputation for doing hard jobs and doing them extraordinarily well."

The letter pits Christie against Pence as surrogates in the race to become the Republican nominee for governor. Pence has endorsed Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb as his replacement.

Pence and Christie, who became friends through their work with the Republican Governors Association, competed to become Donald Trump's running mate until the Republican presidential nominee tapped Pence two weeks ago. Christie continues to serve as the head of Trump's transition team.

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Christie's letter aims to reassure Indiana's central committee members that the RGA — which Christie used to lead — will support her financially if nominated.

"The RGA will wholeheartedly support the nominee you select. Period," he writes. "And I have committed to Susan that I will work with her and my national network to raise what she needs to win."

That reassurance follows an email from Holcomb to committee members on Friday that said Pence had pledged his “financial backing," suggesting Holcomb could receive critical support from the $7 million that remains in Pence’s re-election fund for governor.

Holcomb also announced on Friday a campaign finance committee that includes some of Indiana's biggest fundraisers and several national figures with close ties to the RGA, which had contributed more than $3 million to Pence's re-election effort.

Congressman Todd Rokita and state Sen. Jim Tomes are also competing to replace Pence. The central committee is scheduled to make a decision Tuesday.

Pete Seat, a consultant to the Holcomb campaign, was dismissive of the Christie letter's impact on the race.

"We believe the endorsements of over 100 Hoosier community, political and grassroots leaders — including our own Governor Mike Pence — speaks to the strength and energy our campaign has here at home," he said.

Here is the full text of Christie's letter:

Dear Members of the State Committee: I have known Susan Brooks for the last fifteen years and served with her as a United States Attorney in the aftermath of 9/11, and as someone who has been in her shoes preparing to run for governor, I know how important it is to have friends from all over the country ready to help. What I wanted to tell you is that, as a past chairman of the Republican Governors Association, I’m prepared to help Susan become the next Governor of Indiana. In my tenure at the RGA, I helped raise over $140 million to help elect Republican governors across the country. It's absolutely vital for you to know that, in my experience as a leader in the RGA over the last seven years, we do not take positions in elections like you are having on Tuesday. The RGA will wholeheartedly support the nominee you select. Period. And I have committed to Susan that I will work with her and my national network to raise what she needs to win. You have a tough choice, and you’re staring at a really tough set of races in Indiana. The return of Evan Bayh and the volatility of the governor’s race both make your choice all the more important. The top of the ticket matters, and while it’s clear that Donald Trump will carry Indiana handily, electing a Republican governor AND U. S. Senator will go hand-in-hand. To win this race, you will need the strongest possible candidate. Susan has a demonstrated record of winning tough elections. I also believe that having an accomplished woman at the top of your statewide ticket in Indiana will draw even more support and attention to this race from across the country. With a hard decision like the one you’re facing, I believe it is always wise to compare the credentials of those running. Susan is a proven leader, a proven conservative, and a proven campaigner. She has a well-deserved reputation for doing hard jobs and doing them extraordinarily well. Indiana Republicans have worked hard to elect Mitch Daniels and Mike Pence over the last 12 years. They have provided extraordinarily conservative, competent leadership for Indiana and set an example for the rest of the nation. Please do not take that for granted in this election. I believe Susan Brooks provides the best chance to continue that great tradition. I stand with her today and I hope you will stand with her on Tuesday and every day between now and November 8th. Thank you for your consideration. Very truly yours, Chris Christie Governor, State of New Jersey

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Call IndyStar reporter Tony Cook at (317) 444-6081. Follow him on Twitter: @indystartony.