Mass. governor to endorse Christie: report

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) will endorse Chris Christie in the Republican presidential race, a new report says.

Baker is formally endorsing Christie on Friday and campaigning for him in New Hampshire this weekend, according to CNN.

{mosads}Christie has sought Baker’s blessing for months, CNN said, most recently attending a Bruce Springsteen concert in Boston with him Thursday night. The pair initially met during Baker’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign, culminating with Christie attending his inauguration.

Baker’s backing gives Christie access to the Massachusetts governor’s robust fundraising network. He raised $2.4 million during his first year in office, according to the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Personal Finance.

Baker returned Massachusetts into Republican hands two years ago thanks in part to $11.4 million from the Christie-run Republican Governors Association. The duo have struck up a close friendship in part because they are Republican governors in traditionally Democratic-leaning states.

Baker gives Christie’s campaign a major boost before Tuesday’s primary in neighboring New Hampshire. Christie has heavily invested in the Granite State, with CNN noting he has spent more than 70 days there conducting more than 150 events.

Christie ranks fifth in the state, trailing front-runner Donald Trump by over 27 percent, according to the RealClearPolitics average of polls.