Updated 3:19 p.m. ET, 2/22/2014
(CNN) – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Mitt Romney will appear at a fundraising event this week for the Republican Governors Association.
The event is Thursday night in Boston, RGA spokesman Jon Thompson said.
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A senior RGA official told CNN on Friday the group has raised $18 million in the first three months since Christie became chairman, a record amount for the period. Christie met with the executive committee of the RGA yesterday to brief them on the financial results so far.
Romney has publicly defended Christie amid controversy over the bridge lane closings in his state.
In an interview with Wolf Blitzer on CNN's "The Situation Room" on February 5, Romney said he believes Christie is telling the truth.
"Chris is a straightforward guy,” Romney said. “When he tells you something, you can count on it. And I'm counting on Chris and believe if he decides to get into national politics, he'll do very well indeed."
He listed Christie as among the people he'd want to see as the GOP presidential nominee.
"I think Chris has handled this in an effective way," Romney told the Washington Post earlier this month. "He dismissed people who were responsible. He took personal responsibility. That's what a leader does."
The Boston fundraising appearance was first reported by the Washington Post's Robert Costa.
–CNN's Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.