NJ GOP Senate Hopeful Backs Paul in Feud with Christie

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has endorsed fellow Republican Steve Lonegan in his bid for the U.S. Senate — but on Saturday, Lonegan threw his support to Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul in his contentious war of words with the outspoken governor.

During an appearance on MSNBC's "Up with Steve Kornacki," Lonegan praised Christie as a "strong leader," but said he disagrees with the state executive on issues including recovery funds for Hurricane Sandy.

"I disagree with Gov. Christie and President Obama on Hurricane Sandy funding," he said. "I thought it was over the top. I thought it was too much money."

Lonegan also revealed he's "more on the side" of Paul in the ongoing feud between the pair.

"I am deeply concerned about a government that really should be protecting us from our enemies rather than spying on our friends and our neighbors and our families," he said. "The NSA has overreached its powers."

Earlier this week, Christie said he was "proud" to have the former Americans for Prosperity state director as the GOP nominee, and vowed: "We’ll help him raise money," Politico reported.

But Paul has already said he'd help raise money for Lonegan's Senate race.

Paul told the National Review Online on Thursday he'd met with Lonegan, who says he'd like Paul to be his mentor if elected to the Senate on Oct. 16.

“In all likelihood, we’ll go in and either financially or try to help him through an endorsement or something," Paul said.