Mark Zuckerberg to Hold Fundraiser for Chris Christie - East Idaho News
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Mark Zuckerberg to Hold Fundraiser for Chris Christie

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Getty B 020811 MarkZuckerberg?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1359058197689Justin Sullivan/Getty Images(PALO ALTO, Calif.) — Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg will be holding a $3,800 a person fundraiser for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s gubernatorial campaign on Feb. 13, Christie strategist Mike Duhaime tells ABC News.

Duhaime and Facebook spokesperson Sarah Feinberg confirmed the news that Zuckerberg will be holding the event at his Palo Alto home next month.

Feinberg says Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla, “have worked closely with Governor Christie on education reform in the Newark school system,” referring to the gift of $100 million the Facebook billionaire gave to Newark Public Schools in 2010.

“They admire his leadership on education reform and other issues and look forward to continuing their important work together on behalf of Newark’s schoolchildren,” Feinberg said in a statement. ”Mark and Priscilla are happy to host him at their home to support his re-election.”

Zuckerberg and Christie, as well as Newark Mayor Cory Booker, appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show together at the time to announce the donation. Since then they have continued to work together on local education reform.

The Silicon Valley mogul also headlined fundraisers for President Obama’s 2012 re-election, as well as holding a town hall with him at their Palo Alto headquarters in April 2011.

Christie’s only declared opponent is State Sen. Barbara Buono.

Christie has already raised over $2 million for the campaign, and recent polls in the state have his approval ratings at over 70 percent.  Many New Jersey Democrats were hoping Booker would actually take Christie on for this year’s gubernatorial race, but he has decided to pursue a run for the U.S. Senate instead.

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