NJ governor is heading to Iowa _ but not because he wants to be president, staff says

NJ Gov. Christie plans to campaign in Iowa

HADDONFIELD, N.J. — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie denies he’s considering a presidential run whenever he’s asked.

But he’s planning a trip next month to Iowa, the state with the nation’s first presidential caucus that makes it a destination for those with big political aspirations.

Christie is headlining an Oct. 4 event to raise money for Terry Branstad, a former governor who’s trying to get his old job back.

Christie is a former federal prosecutor who unseated a Democratic governor last year. In eight months on the job, he’s closed an $11 billion budget gap without raising state taxes, imposed a 2 percent cap on increases to local property taxes, and tussled with the state’s main teachers union.

A spokesman says Christie’s agenda “is resonating with a national audience.”