Christie visits constituents’ hometown

PUEBLA, Mexico (AP) — Government officials and local residents alike were to meet with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) Friday, as he put his people skills to the test in the city of Puebla. It's one of the last stops on the last day of his trip to Mexico.

Puebla state Gov. Rafael Moreno Valle greeted Christie and his eldest son, Andrew, who has accompanied his father on the three-day trip.

After a brief meeting, Christie joined the Mexican governor, his cabinet members and other local officials for a breakfast in the governor's residence complex. As the breakfast began, Christie said he had already invited Moreno Valle to come to New Jersey for a joint visit to the City of Passaic, where many immigrants from Puebla live.

"I look forward to him coming to the U.S. and for me to return the favor," Christie said.

The visit to Puebla gives Christie a chance to talk with local residents at a park and school children after two days of back-to-back meetings, receptions and speeches with officials and business leaders in the country's capital.

Christie's trip is seen as part of a larger effort to burnish his foreign policy credentials and build his appeal with Latino voters ahead of a potential run for president in 2016.

He has appeared more reserved than usual during the trip.

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