GOP hopeful Charlie Baker yesterday denied he violated New Jersey’s so-called “pay-to-play” law when he donated $10,000 to the New Jersey Republican State Committee just seven months before Gov. Chris Christie’s administration committed up to $25 million for a public pension contract to General Catalyst Partners, where Baker is listed as a partner.

“I’m not an employee of General Catalysts,” said Baker, who described his role at the Cambridge-based venture capital firm as an executive-in-residence.

“I work with them to find interesting companies to invest in them. I’m not a registered financial investor. And my donation was accepted as legit. So from my point of view, I think we played by the rules.”

The tech site Pando Daily first reported the story, noting New Jersey has some of the toughest “pay-to-play” laws in the country, which include a ban on state contracting if an investment management professional has made a political contribution within two years.

Baker listed himself as “partner” on the campaign donation, which he told the Herald yesterday “was a mistake.” He’s also listed as a partner on the company website, but his campaign insisted he’s not listed that way on corporate filings.

“The donation that Laurie and I made in 2011 was in some respects my way of appreciating his help when I ran in 2010,” Baker said of Christie.

Asked if the situation has the appearance of impropriety, Baker responded, “I don’t. No, I don’t.”

University of Massachusetts-Boston political science professor Maurice Cunningham told the Herald that Democrats may gleefully try to keep the story alive, but he doesn’t think Baker will lose votes.

“If this is all there is to the story, I don’t think it has a lot of legs,” said Cunningham. “I can’t help but think it’s a moderate Northeast Republican making a contribution to help a moderate Northeast Republican.”

Baker’s Democratic opponents — Attorney General Martha Coakley and state Treasurer Steven Grossman — declined comment.