CHICAGO (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says he plans to fight for Republican Bruce Rauner in what he called one of the most important governor's races nationwide.

Christie and Rauner stopped at a Portillo's restaurant downtown Chicago on Friday before heading to an evening fundraiser.

Christie is chairman of the Republican Governors Association. He says the organization is giving another $2.5 million to Rauner's campaign against Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn. Christie says that's "just another down payment on what we're going to do."

The RGA already has given Rauner $1.5 million.

Quinn and other Democrats criticized Christie and Rauner for opposing gun-safety legislation including a ban on assault-style weapons.

Christie and Rauner say they support "common-sense" legislation. They accused Quinn of trying to distract from his record on reducing violence.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

More From WROK 1440 AM / 96.1 FM