New Jersey Gov. Christie heads back to Iowa to stump for GOP

CEDAR RAPIDS - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who is considering a 2016 presidential bid, is coming back to Iowa - to stump for Republican candidates.

Christie will participate in a rally with Gov. Terry Branstad and Republican U.S. House 1st District candidate Rod Blum at 5 p.m. Friday at Gee Asphalt, 4715 6th St. SW, Cedar Rapids.

It's Christie's second trip to Cedar Rapids this year. He attended fundraisers for Iowa House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, Branstad and others in July. That visit, which included a meet-and-greet with about 200 people at a Marion restaurant, drew national press attention.

Christie is scheduled to be back for Branstad's birthday fundraiser Oct. 25 in Clive.

In a hypothetical 2016 match-up with Hillary Clinton, Christie trails 45 to 41 percent, according to a PPP poll released Tuesday. That's better than potential rivals for the GOP nomination Mike Huckabee, Rand Paul and Ted Cruz. In PPP's poll, only former first brother Jeb Bush did better against Clinton, tying her 43 to 43 percent.