NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal is featured in a new advertisement supporting Republican candidate Chris Christie in the race for governor of New Jersey, CBS News reported.
"I don't endorse many politicians. But Chris Christie is different. He's working with me to bring jobs back to our cities, and on a new program to help kids in tough neighborhoods get ahead. Governor Christie's provided more funding for schools, given parent more choices in what schools their kids can go to, and merit pay for good teachers. He's a good man. Excuse me -- he's a great man. Please join me in supporting Chris Christie - the governor," O'Neal says in the video.
Christie, who is currently governor, has consistenly been leading Democratic candidate Barbara Buono in polls. The most recent Quinnipaic survey taken this month demonstrated a 30-point lead for Christie.
This is not the first time O'Neal, a Newark native, has worked with him. In March, he met with the governor to discuss the state's gun buyback program. He also met with him earlier in October to announce the creation of an after-school program to prevent New Jersey students from getting involved in criminal activity, where he expressed his appreciation for the local Boys & Girls Club as a child.
"That was a place where I was able to cultivate my dreams and create the character known as Shaq," O'Neal said at a news conference for the program. "I walked into the gym and I said, 'I could be better than Dr. J.'"
O'Neal has supported candidates on both sides of the aisle before. During an interview with Piers Morgan on CNN, he said President Barack Obama was doing a "fabulous job" and predicted he would win against Mitt Romney.
Additionally, he was open about his support for Carmen Trutanich for the Los Angeles district attorney's race, though he finished third and was voted out as Los Angeles City Attorney this year.
