State GOP executive director subpoenaed in NJ bridge probe

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The bridge scandal involving New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has expanded to the Granite State and the director of the state Republican Party.

Matt Mowers, executive director of the New Hampshire Republican Party, has been subpoenaed by a legislative panel investigating the closure of several lanes of the George Washington Bridge to apparently punish the mayor of Fort Lee, N.J., for not endorsing Christie.

"It's obviously very troubling to us that the executive director of the state party, Matt Mowers, has been entangled in this scandal," said Ray Buckley, chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party.

Mowers has received one of 20 subpoenas related to the investigation, and his specific role in the bridge closure, if any, isn't known. But the appearance of involvement is blood in the water for state Democrats.

"We are obviously troubled and concerned that he could bring some of those tactics to New Hampshire," Buckley said.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Mowers was the first one to reach out for an endorsement from the Fort Lee mayor.

State GOP Chairwoman Jennifer Horn released a statement backing Mowers.

"He has not been accused of any wrongdoing, and there is zero indication that he is in any way connected to the decision to close the bridge lanes," Horn said.

Given Mowers' job of helping the party find success in 2014, even Republican strategists conceded that the longer the bridge scandal investigation drags on, the more shots Mowers and the New Hampshire GOP will take.

"We are not going to know the public answers for a while, so the open and honest part, the transparent part from the GOP is very important, so Matt Mowers has to be very clear and open about what's going on with him to even be able to do his job effectively," said Republican strategist Mike Dennehy.

It's unclear if those who have been issued subpoenas will actually be asked to testify.

News 9's messages for Mowers let at the state Republican offices were not returned Friday. On Thursday night, Mowers said he had no comment.