Christie Spending Snow Emergency Weekend in New Jersey

GOP presidential candidate and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was back in New Jersey Saturday as winter storm Jonas lashed the state.

Christie reassured residents that the matter was under control while deflecting criticism after he had said he didn't plan to return if the situation didn't get too bad.

"This is my 17th snow emergency … so I know how to do this," he told reporters Saturday, saying he'd remain in the state on Saturday to travel around and survey damages, reports Politico.

Christie said he has kept up constant communication with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, as the blizzard slammed New Jersey, New York, Washington, D.C., and other surrounding areas.

The governor had initially planned to remain in New Hampshire and on the campaign trail with wife Mary Pat, and to return if "circumstances warrant." His wife remained in New Hampshire for the weekend, reports Politico.

"No, I mean listen, I don't plan to, but you know, again, if circumstances warrant, you always do that," Christie told reporters in New Hampshire Thursday about returning home for the storm, according to NJ.com.  "But the lieutenant governor is there, and she's handling things on the ground there, and if I needed to go back, I would — but at this point, it's too speculative to know."

Christie's response to other storms in the past have cost him key political points over the years, however. He is still fighting the blowback after hugging and thanking President Barack Obama after Superstorm Sandy slammed New Jersey in 2012. The gesture came just a few days before the general election, which GOP candidate Mitt Romney lost to President Barack Obama.

In 2010, Christie came under fire for staying on a Florida vacation with his family to Disney World instead of rushing back for a major snowstorm. He won re-election in 2013, but was still soundly criticized for the decision.

Further, in February 2014 Christie vacationed in Puerto Rico while his state dug out from a massive snowstorm, leaving for a weekend with his family after the storm passed.

Christie likely will not remain in New Jersey long this time, promising New Hampshire he'd be back to campaign there, tweeting:

But 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, 2016

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