As Christie heads to Iowa, a busy summer continues

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is heading to Iowa on Thursday for his most significant out-of-state trip yet as he weighs a run for president in 2016. But it won't be his only trip this summer.

Christie's office says he plans to visit at least 12 states in July and August alone. Just this month he's spent time in Idaho and Tennessee. After Iowa, he plans to head to Connecticut, Colorado, Illinois and New Hampshire.

While Christie has crisscrossed the country to bolster fellow Republicans as chair of the Republican Governors Association, his schedule is packed with stops in swing and early voting states, giving him the opportunity to make inroads with fundraisers, party leaders and activists who will be crucial to the nomination.

Here's a look at Christie's schedule for this summer and more about what it means for New Jersey while he's gone.

SUMMER SCHEDULE

• Monday: Christie will travel to Connecticut to raise money for state Republicans.

• July 23-24: Christie travels to Aspen, Colorado, for the annual Republican Governors Association summer conference. He'll also speak at an Aspen Institute event with fellow governors.

• July 25: Christie will be in Chicago for a fundraiser for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner.

• July 31: Christie will attend a baseball-themed fundraiser for New Hampshire's Republican party.

WHO'S IN CHARGE WHEN CHRISTIE'S GONE?

When Christie is out of state, New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno becomes acting governor. Guadagno has already ramped up her public schedule in Christie's absence, appearing at numerous events, including a tour of New Jersey wineries, where she joked about the number of reporters present.

CHRISTIE AWAY, CLINTON VISITS:

Hillary Clinton, the overwhelming favorite for the Democratic nomination, will coincidentally be making a stop in New Jersey on Thursday. She has scheduled an appearance at a Ridgewood bookstore to sign copies of her new book, "Hard Choices."

(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)