Christie rallies Ohio voters near Cleveland

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie wants Ohio voters to make a big statement in November.

Christie told Republican backers at a rally in suburban Cleveland on Monday that giving Ohio Gov. John Kasich and running mate Mary Taylor a resounding victory will show that the party’s policies are working.

“It’s not good enough for me to see John and Mary re-elected,” Christie said. “I want to see them re-elected by a substantial margin, because it would send a strong message across America about the way we want to see our leaders govern.”

Kasich has substantial leads in polls and fundraising over Democratic opponent Ed FitzGerald, whose campaign has been stymied by controversy and staff defections.

Christie was joined at the get-out-the-vote rally near Cleveland by Kasich and U.S. Sen. Rob Portman.