US News

Iowa business honchos get Christie love

A coalition of Iowa business leaders yesterday urged NJ Gov. Chris Christie to jump into the race for president, and offered to help him get a campaign off the ground in the key caucus state.

“It’s time for Christie to get in!,” said ethanol-producing honcho Bruce Rastetter.

“Christie has a unique style that people respond to. He’s articulated a credible vision that he will solve the country’s problems.’’

Rastetter is one of eight Iowa business leaders who met with Christie in May to persuade him to enter the race. While Christie ruled out a run at the time, these business leaders have held off on endorsing other Republican presidential candidates in the hope he might change his mind.

Gary Kirke, who owns a financial-services company in Des Moines, is a big Christie fan who was about to pledge support to another candidate because he figured the Jersey governor would not run. But he was told by another Christie backer to hold off.

“I’ve always been on Christie’s team. This is a strong draft Christie movement,’’ Kirke said.

“Christie can do very well in Iowa. He can even win Iowa,’’ he said.

The business leaders said there would be no problem finding volunteers in the Hawkeye State to staff a Christie campaign.