Politics & Government

Christie Lands In Bergen County In State Police Helicopter For Son's Baseball Game

Governor arrives by state police helicopter at St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale for baseball game.

Editor's Note: Story updated with reaction and state police defense of the flight.

Governor Christie landed in Bergen County in a state police helicopter late Tuesday afternoon to attend his son's baseball game against St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale.

Christie arrived shortly before 4 p.m. to watch his son Andrew play baseball for Delbarton School. He was driven from the helicopter about 100 yards to the field in a black car with tinted windows.

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Responding to a question from Patch about the use of the helicopter to attend the game, Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak said, "It is a means of transportation that is occasionally used as the schedule demands. This has historically been the case in prior administrations as well, and we continue to be judicious in limiting its use."

NJ.com reported that the helicopter landed just before lineup cards were exchanged and that Christie and his wife, Mary Pat, left the game in the 5th inning.

Find out what's happening in Ridgewood-Glen Rockwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The site also reported that the governor had no public events on his schedule, so it was unclear where he had traveled from. The website reported that Christie had a private meeting Tuesday night at the governor's mansion with a group of Iowa donors who are trying to pursuade him to run for president.

The helicopter is one of five new choppers purchased by the state police, costs $12.5 million and can fly at 200 miles per hour, according to the NJ.com report.


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