New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie stumps for Jeff Johnson

Republican candidate for governor Jeff Johnson turned to an established star of his party on Monday to pump some energy into his campaign.

Johnson, a Hennepin County commissioner who trails Gov. Mark Dayton by 10 points in the polls, received an attention boost when New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie campaigned with him. Christie, who is frequently mentioned as a possible candidate for president in 2016, also held a private fundraiser for Johnson.

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The two men also visited the Global Academy charter school in Columbia Heights, citing test scores that show it has been successful in closing the gap on standardized tests between minority students and their white counterparts. Johnson said the school, which has a diverse student population, has a long waiting list that demonstrates schools where minority students succeed are in demand.

Johnson said that as governor he would tackle student achievement head on.

"It will be my number one education goal and it will be one of my important goals that I have overall because we can't give up on these kids," he said.

Johnson has been a strong backer of giving parents more school options including charter schools and allowing parents to use state money to pay for private school. He also said he would push to include "the parent trigger" — a law in California and Christie's New Jersey that allows parents to vote to make changes, including firing a principal or turning a traditional school into a charter school.

"What it says is that if you have a school that is chronically failing, you have to define that," Johnson said. "If you have a chronically failing school then the parents of the kids in that school have some power. They can petition to change something."

Christie wasn't in Minnesota just to talk education. As chair of the Republican Governor's Association, his top goal is to help Republicans win governor's races across the country. He is also considering a run for president in 2016. Even though Johnson is lagging Dayton in the polls, Christie said he thinks Johnson can win.

"There are a lot of people who didn't believe in me and they still came and they helped because they thought the cause was the right thing to do," Christie said. "I believe in Jeff and I think he can win this race and so I think it's important for me — and that's without regard to whatever I may do with my future."

Christie held a private fundraiser for Johnson and a separate private fundraiser for the Minnesota Republican Party.

Johnson said he thinks he is closing the gap with Dayton — especially after his performance in recent debates.

The next debate, sponsored by the Duluth Chamber of Commerce, the Duluth News Tribune and other groups, is Tuesday morning in Duluth. It will be the first time in years that the Independence Party candidate isn't on stage for a debate. IP candidate Hannah Nicollet said she's disappointed she's being shut out.

"It's a violation of trust with the state of Minnesota, considering we have laws in place — what designates a major party," Nicollet said. "And Minnesotans identify 40 percent as independent, so they should have the third option."

Duluth Chamber of Commerce executive director David Ross said he and other debate organizers negotiated the details with Dayton and Johnson in August and did not include Nicollet in the discussions. He couldn't explain why Nicollet wasn't included in the initial talks, but said Johnson's campaign wants to keep her out.

Johnson's campaign staff did not dispute that statement, but Johnson said that he's willing to let her in.

"I've always said 'I don't care,'" Johnson said. "And I don't care."

Dayton has said Nicollet should take part in all of the debates.

Democrats said little about Christie's visit. DFL Party Chair Ken Martin declined an interview request even though the party sent out an e-mail criticizing Johnson and Christie for cutting education spending and opposing minimum wage hikes.

Dayton also said little about Christie, but welcomed the New Jersey governor to Minnesota.

"He's welcome here. Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley was here on Saturday night at a Democratic event and President Clinton was here last week as well," the governor said. "I'm glad that he's here. Our security detail provides security and transportation services for a visiting governor and anyone who is in that position is welcome here for any purpose."

Christie won't be the last national politician to campaign in Minnesota before Election Day.

High-profile Democrats are due to arrive soon. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts arrives in the state to campaign for U.S. Sen. Al Franken on Saturday and Vice President Joe Biden will campaign for U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan later this month.