Trump courts support in Long Branch, Christie stands down

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie insists he and Donald Trump, a rival in the Republican presidential field, are friends, even after Trump made inroads with potential supporters in Christie’s backyard of Long Branch Sunday.

Trump stopped in for an event hosted by Seryl and Charles Kushner at their block-long beachfront property on Ocean Avenue, according to the New York Times, which said invitations read: “Seryl and Charles Kushner invite you to their home to meet DONALD TRUMP,” with the candidate’s name in red letters beneath a pair of American flags.

Trump is a New York resident but has extensive business ties in New Jersey. He heads the group that owns Trump National Golf Course in Colts Neck and two other courses in the Garden State.

The Kushners are the in-laws of Trump’s daughter Ivanka. Charles Kushner has given $100,000 to a super PAC supporting Trump.

Christie in an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe’’ Monday morning sidestepped numerous attempts by the hosts to get him to ding Trump, who is the runaway leader in polling for the 2016 GOP nomination.

“I've been friends with Donald for 13 years. He's a fun guy,’’ Christie said. “Listen, when you go out to dinner with Donald Trump, which I've done on a number of occasions, it's an exhausting experience. Right? It is. I mean that in the nicest way.’’

Charles Kushner was one of the Democratic Party’s biggest financial backers in New Jersey until he was convicted in 2005 of tax evasion and witness tampering. The prosecution was overseen by Christie, who was the U.S. attorney in Newark.

Bob Jordan 609-984-4343, bjordan@gannettnj.com