President Obama called New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) Wednesday afternoon to congratulate him on his reelection.
A White House official and a spokesman to Christie confirmed the phone call.
Obama first missed Christie because he called right before the governor’s Wednesday press conference. Christie then returned the president’s call.
{mosads}Originally, the president only phoned three Democrats who won Tuesday: Virginia’s Gov.-elect Terry McAuliffe, New York City Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio and Boston’s Mayor-elect Martin Walsh, according to a statement put out by the White House late Tuesday night.
Obama campaigned for McAuliffe and de Blasio during the last leg of their races but he did not get involved in New Jersey’s gubernatorial race.
He and Christie are seen as having a good relationship: Christie praised Obama for his support after Hurricane Sandy ravaged New Jersey’s shores a year ago. Some Republicans grumbled about Christie appearance with Obama shortly before the 2012 presidential election, where Obama soundly beat GOP nominee Mitt Romney.
When asked why Obama didn’t campaign for Christie’s Democratic challenger, state Sen. Barbara Buono, the White House provided no reason.
Christie won Tuesday night in a landslide: with nearly all precincts reporting, he defeated Buono by more than 20 points.
Obama’s call comes as speculation heats up over Christie’s prospects in 2016. The governor is expected to be a top contender in the GOP’s presidential race that year.
Exit polls on Tuesday showed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would lead Christie by about 4 to 7 percentage points in a hypothetical matchup.