After some critics accused him of absenteeism, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced Friday afternoon that he will cut short a New Hampshire campaign swing in order to return to his home state for what’s projected to be a historic snowstorm on the East Coast.
The 2016 hopeful tweeted the announcement Friday, saying he had to prioritize the safety of New Jersey residents but apologizing to the state of New Hampshire, where he had previously been scheduled to campaign through the weekend.
I'm sorry, NH but I gotta go home – we got snow coming. #Jonas
— Chris Christie (@ChrisChristie) January 22, 2016I want to make sure the people of my state feel safe and secure. #Jonas
— Chris Christie (@ChrisChristie) January 22, 2016But I will be back, because I am able to do both things. The fact is – you are never not the governor. #Jonas
— Chris Christie (@ChrisChristie) January 22, 2016A campaign aide said that Christie made the decision after having conversations with his staff in New Jersey about the impending storm.
He’s expected to be back on the trail Sunday.
Christie has been criticized for spending most of his time outside of the state. The New York Times reported Friday that the governor spent 191 days away from New Jersey last year.
Christie’s rise to national fame before his presidential run was fueled in part by his hands-on approach to managing major weather events in the state, notably Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and Hurricane Irene in 2011.
Christie’s camp said that his wife Mary Pat will remain in New Hampshire but that the governor plans to return home Friday afternoon.
This article first appeared on NBCNews.com.
Carrie Dann