Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie today received the support of a pro-life group's political action committee. The Family Research Council is supporting Christie, a former U.S. attorney, over his pro-abortion rival, Governor Jon Corzine. The two are running close in the polls.

The FRC Action PAC, the political action committee connected to Family Research Council, issued its endorsement for Christie, Connie Mackey, president of the PAC, told LifeNews.com.

"Chris Christie will bring real change for New Jersey families. As a U.S. Attorney he was unapologetic in busting corrupt politicians," she said. "As New Jersey's next governor he will continue to hold political leaders accountable."

"He is a true friend to New Jersey's families, advocating school vouchers, smaller government, and pro-life legislation. New Jersey needs principled leadership and I believe they will get that in Chris," Mackey added.

"As we see radical leftist groups increasingly targeting states, it is vital that we have pro-family, pro-religious liberty, and pro-fiscal restraint governors leading this nation. Chris Christie is the right man, at the right time, to lead the Garden State in 2010 and beyond," she continued.

While Christie has held a lead in the governor's race since April, polls show the contest tightening in the final weeks.

Of the last four polls, two show Christie with a three percent lead while two show Corzine with three percent and one percent leads. The polls have pro-abortion independent candidate Daggett with support of about 11 percent.
Deal Hudson, a Catholic writer, has commented on the New Jersey race and says it could give hope to pro-life advocates who are still smarting from the election of pro-abortion President Barack Obama.

"Christie's eleven point lead over Corzine ... is remarkable in the post-Obama political climate when pro-life candidates, like Christie, are supposed to be passé," he says.

"In New Jersey 42 percent of voters are Catholic, but the Republicans haven't nominated a Catholic for governor since 1973," Hudson explains. "Whether New Jersey Catholics will rally around a candidate like Christie remains to be seen."

The last Catholic governor of New Jersey was James E. McGreevey who received a majority of the Catholic vote in spite of pro-abortion policy positions.

Hudson says that Christie is worthy of support from pro-life advocates. Congressman Chris Smith, a New Jersey lawmaker who is a hero to the national pro-life movement, has given Christie his "seal of approval." Hudson says "for movement pro-lifers will be the end of the argument."

"The election of Chris Christie in 2010 would put a sudden end to all the talk about the need for Republicans to distance themselves from their pro-life constituencies," he concludes.

Christie was nominated in 2001 by President George W. Bush as the U.S. attorney general for the District of New Jersey.

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