During testimony before New Jersey lawmakers on Tuesday, a former aide to Gov. Christie insisted he was “dumbfounded” when he heard about the plot by some of the Republican’s staffers and allies to cause traffic jams on the George Washington Bridge – seemingly for political retribution.
Matt Mowers, a former staff member of Christie’s campaign team who now serves as the executive director of the New Hampshire Republican party, said he had no involvement or knowledge of the scheme.
“I sit here dumbfounded and disappointed that the actions seemingly taken by a few rogue individuals have tainted the good work that so many have done on behalf of the residents of New Jersey,” said Mowers to the state legislative panel, which is trying to determine who ordered the September lane closures and why.
Mowers is the third individual to testify in front of the committee. Christie has repeatedly denied any prior knowledge of the plan and has since fired his deputy chief of staff Bridget Kelly and cut ties with former adviser Bill Stepien after emails were made public showing Christie’s inner circle was indeed involved.
There is a separate, federal investigation into the scandal, which is threatening to derail Christie’s potential 2016 presidential run.
Mowers began working for the governor in 2010. An internal review — ordered by the governor’s office — said Mowers had met with Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich to discuss a potential endorsement for Christie. Part of his job was wooing mayors in the northern part of the state for 2013 re-election endorsements. Critics insist the traffic jams were enacted to punish Sokolich, a Democrat, for not backing the mayor in his re-election bid.
Mowers said he did not pursue Sokolich after he declined to back the governor. “Upon passing this information to others, no one I spoke with seemed overly interested or concerned,” said Mowers.









