Cantor lends a hand to Christie in Virginia

Former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) is lending a hand to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) ahead of his likely run for the White House in 2016.

Cantor will be co-hosting a meet-and-greet for Christie with Virginia business leaders on Feb. 26, Bobbie Kilberg, the president of the Northern Virginia Technology Council, confirmed to The Hill.

{mosads}The event will mark the second time Christie has met with leaders in Virginia ahead of a possible presidential bid. Kilberg also invited a group of executives to meet with Christie last month when he was in the area for Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s (R) inauguration.

Cantor, who resigned from Congress after a shocking defeat in a primary election last summer, also hosted a fundraiser for the Republican State Leadership Committee with former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R), who is moving toward a presidential run. Cantor had to cancel his appearance at the last minute due to snow.  

A poll of the likely 2016 candidates by Christopher Newport University found Bush leading among Virginia Republicans, with 21 percent support, while Christie garnered 10 percent. Christie led the field back in 2014, during the school’s last poll, and the most recent number show that his favorable rating dropped 16 points over the past year.

The Associated Press first reported the Cantor event with Christie.