Mitt Romney to Visit Lakewood On Wednesday

Mitt Romney will be back in New Jersey this week for a fundraiser in Lakewood hosted by attorney Larry Bathgate II and Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore.

But Gov. Chris Christie won’t be there.

Christie will be in California at the end of this week on another fundraising trip for Romney, who he endorsed in October. Christie spoke last of 10 governors who attended a rally outside of Colorado with Romney last week.

The Romney event is set for Wednesday afternoon at Lake Terrace hall. The invitation says a donation of $1,000 pays for the reception, $10,000 a VIP photo reception and $25,000 a roundtable with the candidate. Former Gov. Tom Kean, his son Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. (R-Union), Sen. Jim Holzapfel (R-Ocean) and Atlantic County GOP Chairman Keith Davis are expected to attend along with about 700 people.

“We’re looking forward to a large number of people and we hope to exceed expectations as far as the dollars are concerned,” Bathgate said. “There’s been a lot of enthusiasm for Governor Romney and we’re excited about having Governor Romney in Lakewood.”

Bathgate has been a prominent fundraiser for the national Republican Party dating back to President Ronald Reagan. He and Gilmore organized visits to Lakewood by U.S. Sen. John McCain in 2008 and Vice President Dick Cheney in 2004.

Romney has already raised more than $3 million in the Garden State with fundraisers in Parsippany and Woodbridge hosted by Christie, in addition to other donations.

{NJ.com}

{Matzav.com Newscenter}