Gov. Christie to Reimburse State for Helicopter Rides

Governor Chris Christie will reimburse New Jersey for using a state police helicopter twice to see his son's baseball games, according to a spokesperson for the governor.

During a press conference Thursday, Christie said it's difficult to balance parenthood and his role of governor, but his kids will always come first. 

"It's not a good enough excuse for me to just say, 'Well I was governor, you have to understand.' Cause I'll be governor for a lot less of a time then I'll be a father," he said. 

Christie has paid $2,151 to the state to cover the cost of all his trips, according to spokesperson Maria Comella.

She also said the state GOP has paid $1,232 to cover Christie's helicopter ride Tuesday when he flew 75 miles from a game in Montvale to Princeton, where the governor met with top GOP campaign contributors from Iowa.

This comes after a statement Wednesday when a spokesperson said Christie would not be reimbursing the state.

The governor used the state police helicopter 33 times since he was inaugurated in 2010, according to documents released by a spokesperson.

With the Associated Press