New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will join other top prospective Republican presidential candidates in Las Vegas this week for the annual "Spring Leadership Conference" of the Republican Jewish Coalition-- a group closely associated with casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, the biggest moneyman in American politics.
Christie is due to speak to the group at Adelson's Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino on Saturday along with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, according to a press advisory released by the group Wednesday.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will speak to the RJC's board on Thursday night in an event hosted by Adelson, according to a RJC official who asked not to be identified. Unlike the Saturday talks, the Bush event will be closed to the news media.
The RJC meeting has been dubbed "the Sheldon primary" because it will give potential Republican contenders the chance to impress Adelson, the most prominent GOP mega-donor who pumped an estimated $92 million into the 2012 election.
The largest chunk of those funds were funneled through so-called "super PACs" that can accept unlimited donations.
Christie's appearance comes amid reports that his office will soon release a report he commissioned by the law firm of Gibson Dunn into the George Washington Bridge lane closures. His office did not respond to inquiries about when the report will be released.
