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Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Rob Astorino Says Christie Won't Back Him Due To Bridgegate

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Republican New York gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino says he believes fellow Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie won't support him because of the Bridgegate scandal, The Associated Press reported.

Astorino speculates the Bridgegate scandal has given birth to some sort of political accommodation, WCBS 880's Paul Murnane reported.

Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Rob Astorino Says Christie Won't Back Him Due To Bridgegate

"Whatever Gov. Christie knew or didn't know is probably the same for Gov. Cuomo. And if there's anything being held back that Gov. Cuomo knows and if he's holding that over Gov. Christie's head, I don't know," Astorino said. "Now I don't know if there's a connection with he and Andrew Cuomo on Bridgegate, or if Cuomo has something that he's holding back, information that could be damaging to the governor."

Astorino and Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Zephyr Teachout joined forces Tuesday, blasting Cuomo on issues including the scuttling Moreland Commission, Murnane reported.

New York Gubernatorial Candidates Teachout, Astorino Join Forces Against Cuomo

Murnane also reported Astorino said he thought he had a good relationship with Christie and said it's Christie's job to head the Republican Governors Association to support Republicans.

"If Governor Christie is unable to help a Republican candidate for governor, then maybe he should consider stepping down as chairman of the RGA," Astorino said.

On Monday, Christie said he's repeatedly told candidates he doesn't "pay for landslides" and he doesn't "invest in lost causes."

"If the New York race becomes competitive, I'll consider campaigning in the New York race," Christie said Monday. "But right now, by the public polls, there's a lot more competitive races like this one in [Greenwich] Connecticut where I've got to spend my time. And that's where I'll spend my time, in places where I can make a difference to help somebody win."

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(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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