Christie defends Maine gov. after racial comments

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is standing behind his long-time supporter Maine Gov. Paul LePage, who apologized recently for racially charged remarks about drug dealers impregnating white women.

“We can’t judge people by one set of remarks they make,” Christie said in an interview with MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” set to air Monday.

{mosads}“It doesn’t change a bit for me my affection for him, my respect for him, as a leader and as a person, and he’s a good man. He’s apologized,” he added, after several days of staying quiet about the remarks.

Christie and LePage — both governors of northeastern states — have frequently campaigned together. The Maine governor announced his endorsement for Christie for president last July.

Christie, who remains low in national presidential polling, is seeking a strong showing in next month’s New Hampshire primary to move up in the race.

LePage, who is known for sometimes bombastic statements, drew scorn Wednesday when he suggested that his state’s heroin problem was fueled by “guys with the name D-Money, Smoothie, Shifty” who will “half the time they impregnate a young, white girl before they leave.”

LePage has since apologized.