The Sept. 20 event benefiting Team Iowa PAC is called the V2 Dinner - a reference to the two victories Iowa Republicans would need to take control of the state Senate. The chamber currently has 26 Democrats and 24 Republicans.

Christie is listed on the V - shaped invitation as the top speaker, with Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds also named as hosts. Other notable hosts include Bruce Rastetter and Gary Kirke, two deep - pocketed Iowa conservatives who tried to coax Christie into the ۲۰۱۲ presidential race.

Those aren’t the only presidential - level players involved: Team Iowa PAC is chaired by Republican strategist Nick Ryan, who advised Iowa caucus winner Rick Santorum last year and managed the super PAC supporting Santorum’s campaign. The organization is aiming to raise $۲ million in the interests of taking over the Iowa Senate, potentially making it the most heavily funded state - only group in Iowa.

The event is the kind of thing that a national Republican with no known presidential aspirations could take part in, simply as a party-building exercise in an important state. But Christie doesn't fall into that category of politician, making the event all the more interesting.