The Associated Press

 

HADDONFIELD, N.J. - Republican Chris Christie campaigned in south Jersey Thursday with former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

 

The former Massachusetts governor says Christie will provide the kind of conservative leadership New Jersey needs.

 

Romney told a crowd of about 50 on the steps of Haddonfield Borough Hall that New Jersey has "tried liberal" and it's time for the state "to have a chance to try conservative."

 

Christie is competing for the GOP nomination in Tuesday's primary against conservative Steve Lonegan and Assemblyman Rick Merkt. Christie leads in independent polls, but Lonegan captures more of the ultra conservative vote. Merkt is a distant third.

 

The winner will face Democrat Gov. Jon S. Corzine in November.