New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will be making a campaign stop in Portland on Wednesday morning, a day after the Republican announced his intention to run for president in 2016.

Christie is scheduled to visit Becky’s Diner on Commercial Street along the city’s waterfront at 10 a.m. for what his campaign called a “special announcement event.” The stop kicks off a series of community meetings, endorsement events and town hall gatherings the 2016 hopeful has planned for New Hampshire through Saturday.

Christie visited Maine four times to stump for Maine Gov. Paul LePage during his recent gubernatorial campaign, including a visit to Becky’s Diner on May 7, 2014.

Becky Rand, who owns the popular waterfront eatery, said that during Christie and LePage’s last visit to her establishment the politicians shook hands with customers, but did not stop for a bite to eat.

“Yes, Governor Christie is coming. His staff called me today and asked if they could come,” Rand said late Tuesday. “I’m not picking sides. I always say yes to every politician who asks.”

When asked if LePage was going to join Christie at the restaurant, Rand said she did not want to comment. Calls and emails sent to LePage’s staff regarding his itinerary were not returned.

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But, one reporter following Christie’s campaign suggested that Christie was visiting Maine to receive LePage’s endorsement.

“Christie adjusts schedule for Portland endorsement event in AM,” Boston Globe political reporter James Pindell tweeted Tuesday night.

Christie and LePage became friends after the May 2014 visit, with Christie making three more stops to campaign on behalf of LePage’s gubernatorial bid. During a campaign stop in Bangor last August, Christie mentioned that he and the governor had become good friends.

Christie announced his candidacy for president during an announcement Tuesday in his hometown of Livingston, New Jersey, becoming the 14th Republican contender for the 2016 nomination.


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