Washington ( CNN ) -- When he won re-election by a landslide last year , Chris Christie 's calling card became the Republican who can get Democratic votes . This week , the New Jersey governor travels to three blue states -- Illinois , Connecticut and Michigan -- to show Republicans gubernatorial candidates how it 's done . It 's a busy travel schedule that comes as government sources say they have no evidence so far that Christie was personally involved in last year 's George Washington Bridge scandal . The governor has long said he had no previous knowledge of the plot to close down access lanes to the country 's busiest bridge out of apparent political retribution . Christie is clearly relieved . `` You 're always grateful to hear that the things that I said appear like they 're going to be confirmed , if these reports are accurate , '' he said during an `` Ask the Governor '' radio program on Thursday . The M.O . of the GOP historically is to have an establishment candidate in waiting -- someone who came close before but lost , like John McCain and Mitt Romney , or someone who captures the money and momentum early on , like George W. Bush . That has n't happened so far in the 2016 presidential cycle , which has allowed Christie to remain viable . Still , it 's not as if the bridge scandal ever stopped him from preparing a potential 2016 White House run . He 's been getting in better shape since he had lap-band surgery in February 2013 . Republican sources confirm to CNN that Christie has lost 85 pounds . He revealed that at a private fundraiser hosted by key GOP donors including David Koch , The New York Times first reported . In fact , CNN is told Christie discussed his weight in response to a donor 's question about his health . Christie has largely taken questions and jokes about his health in stride . At an event in New Jersey with Romney earlier this month , Christie played along as the 2012 GOP nominee recalled a story about how he prepared a large meal for Christie recently , only to realize the governor was trying to lose weight . `` I brought out all this food and put it out in front of the table , '' Romney said . `` And Chris sat there and picked at a couple pieces of lettuce . '' Still , it 's Christie 's political prep that is most telling . He has been using his platform as chairman of the Republican Governors Association to travel around the country and campaign for candidates on the ballot this year . It 's a job that also lets him meet people who could be helpful in any presidential run , especially the early contest states of Iowa , New Hampshire and South Carolina . Despite the bridge scandal making headlines not long after Christie became chairman , the governor has still raised a whopping $ 75 million for the organization . How to campaign without campaigning . He 's also going to key swing states such as Florida and North Carolina , as well as some red states such as Alabama , Arkansas , Mississippi and Oklahoma -- where the New Jersey governor could use some get-to-know-ya time . But along the way , he has seen firsthand evidence of conservative skepticism about the Garden State governor 's ideology . The group Judicial Crisis Network , for example , spent money on negative ads in Iowa , New Hampshire and South Carolina as Christie was visiting the states . The ads blasted Christie for appointing liberal judges to the New Jersey Supreme Court . Another potential problem for Christie - especially among the fiscal conservatives in his party , is that New Jersey 's credit rating has been downgraded eight times since he became governor in 2010 . Christie aides argue the reasons for the downgrading go back to fiscal decisions made before he was elected governor five years ago . But for fiscal conservatives looking for a presidential candidate who can get the country out of debt , it could be a deal breaker politically .
Chris Christie has lost 85 pounds as he gears up for a possible Christie run . The Alabama governor has traveled to eight states in the past year . Christie is chairman of Christie . The position has allowed him to to meet with donors and activists in key states .