NEWARK, N.J. (AP) – There are not that many pigs in his home state. But there are millions in the early presidential voting state of Iowa. And that’s making for a tough decision for Chris Christie, both New Jersey’s governor and a potential presidential candidate.
Christie has until early December to decide whether to sign a bill that would ban pig farmers in the state from using devices called gestation crates.
The bill has the support of Republican and Democratic state lawmakers in New Jersey. But it is opposed by the pork lobby, which is based in Iowa, a state that’s home to millions of pigs. And that could cause problems for Christie if he decides to run for president in 2016.
Bill Tentinger, a Plymouth County pork producer, and a past president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association addressed this very issue with Governor Christie during a recent pheasant hunt fundraiser event held at the Hole in the Wall hunting preserve near Akron, and sponsored by Iowa Congressman Steve King. Tentinger says Christie has vetoed the measure in the past.
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Tentinger says Governor Christie has consulted with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad regarding the issue, and he realizes the movement is being pushed by the United States Humane Society.
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Tentinger says pork producers hope to be successful from having the New Jersey state legislature over-ride Christie’s veto.
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