SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has pledged to come back to Illinois a “number of times” to help the campaign of Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner.

Christie, chairman of the Republican Governors Association, stopped in Springfield Wednesday for two private fundraisers and to join Rauner in meeting and greeting lunchtime diners at a local restaurant.

Christie told The Associated Press that the governor’s race is “the top challenger race for the RGA in the country.” Quinn has similarly received help from national Democrats and even the White House.

Christie’s visit comes a day after Quinn and Rauner ratcheted up the governor’s campaign on a personal level, taking jabs at each’s character and honesty in a televised newspaper editorial board meeting.

The Chicago Democrat accused Rauner of bribing lawmakers, lying about state pension business, “profiteering” with his venture capital business and not taking responsibility for companies in which he had a stake. The Winnetka Republican claimed Quinn has misled taxpayers, harmed the state’s business climate and continued the hiring practices of now imprisoned ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

On Wednesday, Christie said Rauner “speaks his mind” and “makes sure he’s holding Gov. Quinn to account.”

(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)