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Kean backs Christie for governor

Former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean Sr. endorsed Christopher J. Christie for governor yesterday, throwing a popular Republican voice behind the front-runner in the early going of the party's primary campaign.

Former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean Sr. endorsed Christopher J. Christie for governor yesterday, throwing a popular Republican voice behind the front-runner in the early going of the party's primary campaign.

"Chris Christie's strong leadership will finally end business as usual and bring real change to Trenton," Kean said in a statement the Christie campaign released.

The former governor and candidate appeared together in Bernardsville.

"I am honored to have Gov. Kean's support and friendship. Despite which way the political winds may have blown during his time in Trenton, Gov. Kean never wavered. As governor, I will strive to serve every resident of New Jersey in that same manner," Christie said in the release.

Christie, a former U.S. attorney, is the leading Republican candidate, according to multiple polls.

Kean, who was governor from 1982 to 1990, remains prominent and popular in the state, according to public opinion surveys. An elder statesman among New Jersey Republicans, he most recently won national praise for his work as chairman of the 9/11 Commission.

He is part of a family that traces its New Jersey political influence to Colonial times. Kean's son, Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr., is the top Republican in state government.

Another Republican hoping to unseat Gov. Corzine, Steve Lonegan, assailed the former governor's credentials.

"As governor, Tom Kean raised the income tax, raised the sales tax, raised the gas tax, raised the corporate tax, and, at the end of his term, more than doubled the state budget," Lonegan said. "With all due respect to Gov. Tom Kean, I am not a Tom Kean Republican."

Lonegan announced that he had picked up an endorsement from Patrick Cassio, the Republican municipal chairman in Rahway.

"He represents the real grassroots, tax-paying Republican Party, and I'm proud to have his endorsement," Lonegan said.