Scott Walker Goes to Bat for Likely 2016 Rival Chris Christie

Speaking outside the White House, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker—who has hinted that he will seek the Republican presidential nomination in 2016—was supportive of a possible primary opponent, the recently embattled New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

Members of the executive committee of the National Governors Association including Minnesota Gov. Mark Daton, left, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, and Utah Gov. Gary Herbert speak to the media after meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

Christie is being investigated by a New Jersey state legislative committee and by the U.S. Justice Department for the role of his top aides in the lane closures at the George Washington Bridge allegedly to retaliate against a Democratic mayor who did not endorse Christie for reelection in 2013.

“I think the bottom line is he stepped up,” Walker said in response to a reporter's question on Christie, the chairman of the Republican Governors Association, in charge of recruiting and raising money for GOP gubernatorial candidates across the country.

Walker was at the White House Tuesday with five other governors who are members of the executive committee of the National Governors Association, to meet with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

“I think any of us as governors, Democrat or Republican alike, if there is a challenge in your administration, you step up, acknowledge that and deal with it, in this case, replacing staff that he had and moving forward,” Walker continued. “I think, whether it's Chris or any other governor, all of us who are governors certainly appreciate people who hold folks accountable in their administration and move on. We look for him to move on not only as the Republican Governors Association chairman, but as an active member of the National Governors Association as well.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie delivers his State Of The State address at the Statehouse, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014, in Trenton, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) AP Photo/Mel Evans

Another member of the executive committee, Utah Gov. Gary Hebert, also expressed his support for Christie as leader of the Republican governors

“I guess we need to find out what's behind all of this,” Hebert said. “In Utah we only know what we read in the papers and hear on television and radio. But I think Chris has been a great leader for New Jersey and certainly has turned things around there. He's had bipartisan support. The challenge facing him now is what has happened with some of his staff members. I think we need to let that play out. But I can tell you this is one Republican governor who supports Chris Christie as chairman of the RGA.”

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