McCain Campaigns For Mandel In Columbus

New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie will be in Northeast Ohio to raise money for State Treasurer Josh Mandel, who hopes to unseat Democratic U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown. Christie is one of two big name Republicans in the state today on Mandel's behalf. First, Arizona Senator John McCain, who lost the presidential race to Barack Obama in 2008, will appear at fundraising luncheon for Mandel in Columbus. Then it’s more fundraising tonight, with Chris Christie joining Mandel in Cleveland’s eastern suburbs. Christie is well known on the national stage, and while he has occasionally irked some for not towing a strict socially conservative line, his credentials as a FISCAL conservative make for a welcome endorsement for Tea Party favorites like Mandel. Christie’s last scheduled trip to Northeast Ohio in early March - he was to have appeared at a rally with Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, but that was cancelled due to bad weather. Tonight’s fundraiser for Mandel includes a VIP event in Gates Mills, with tickets costing $1,500 per person, $2,500 per couple, or $10,000 per couple that includes a photo with the governor. A dinner follows in Mayfield Village at $100 a plate, or $500 for preferred seating. Both events are closed to the press.