NHGOP Official Has Ties to #Bridgegate Controversy

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that New Hampshire Republican State Committee Executive Director Matt Mowers was the one who asked Fort Lee, New Jersey Mayor Mark Sokolich about endorsing New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

In a report posted Sunday, the Wall Street Journal said Sokolich was approached by Mowers, who at that time was working as the Christie campaign's regional political director. The story doesn't say that Mowers directly asked for an endorsement, only that he indicated that "an endorsement would be welcome." 

Mowers was hired as the NHGOP's executive director in November, shortly after Christie won re-election. He had worked for the Christie administration since 2010.

The issue of whether Sokolich was ever asked to endorse Christie has become a key piece of the so-called "Bridgegate" controversy following the revelation that members of Christie's staff apparently forced traffic jams in retaliation for the Fort Lee mayor's refusal to endorse the governor.

Mowers did not respond to an email Sunday night seeking comment on the Wall Street Journal story.