Maine Gov. LePage endorses Christie in 2016 GOP primary

PORTLAND (AP) — Maine Gov. Paul LePage has endorsed New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a day after he officially joined the 2016 Republican presidential primary.

LePage became the first Republican governor to announce a pick in the presidential race. The outspoken leader called Christie "the real deal."

Christie set aside a morning event in New Hampshire and detoured to Maine to pick up the endorsement, announced under a leaking tent on the deck of Becky's Diner in Portland.

LePage says Christie will tell voters things they need to hear and then work to fix them.

He also praised Christie's recent chairmanship of the Republican Governors Association. The group was instrumental in helping LePage win re-election after pouring more than $5 million into the race.

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