Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey president Dominick Marino has asked the Boston Herald in a letter to withdraw its endorsement of Gov. Chris Christie for president — calling the newspaper's position “disingenuous to the public trust."

The newspaper, which is known for its conservative editorial voice, said the governor is a "serious guy" with a "Jersey guy" attitude that is "feisty but not mean-spirited, tough but not hateful." It said Christie has been "gutsy" on the campaign trail and said "yes it takes guts to talk about entitlement reform, which he has."

Marino’s letter, posted on the association's Facebook page, criticizes the Herald for considering pensions an entitlement.

"Retirement benefits are negotiated over time while fire fighters pay into their retirements," wrote Marino, adding firefighters "have never missed a payment into their retirements."

Christie reduced the state's contributions to the pension fund to address revenue shortfalls in this year's budget. The state Supreme Court backed Christie's decision.

Marino calls Christie's run for president  “maniacal and egotistical" and said that "real Jersey toughness can be seen not on the tour buses crossing Iowa and New Hampshire but at the Jersey Shore where residents once again attempt to rebuild after devastating flooding."

Christie has faced criticism for seeming to downplay serious flooding in southern New Jersey towns during and after last weekend's blizzard as he returned to New Hampshire to continue his presidential campaign.

Neither the newspaper nor Christie have issued any response to the letter. Christie is in Iowa all weekend for 13 events leading to Monday's Caucus. The New Hampshire primary is next week on Tues, Feb. 9.

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM