Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) -- both possible 2016 Republican presidential contenders -- may be at odds again, the day after Christie celebrated his reelection.
During a Senate hearing Wednesday on the federal response to Hurricane Sandy, Paul voiced his disproval of the way some have politicized television ads meant to garner support for recovery fund campaigns.
Though Paul did not address Christie by name, he railed against funding campaigns in New Jersey that heavily featured political candidates, saying the ads give "a little bit of a black eye" to recovery efforts. The October 2012 storm killed more than 148 people and caused $68 billion in property damage.
“Some of these ads, people who are running for office put their mug all over the ads while they’re in the middle of a political campaign," Paul said. "In New Jersey, $25 million was spent on ads that included somebody running for political office."
Paul said this could create "a conflict of interest," upsetting taxpayers who expect their dollars to be spent otherwise.
"And that's why, when people are trying to do good and trying to use the taxpayer's money wisely, they're offended to see our money spent on political ads. That's just offensive," he said.
Paul reportedly also took issue with New York ads paid for using recovery funds. New Jersey and New York were hardest hit by the storm.
In New York, public officials are prohibited from appearing on-camera. “At least they didn’t put someone’s face on the ad, and their family, in what looks like a bio ad,” Paul said.
Christie appeared with his family in an ad encouraging people to visit the Jersey Shore over the summer.
Paul was among 36 Senate Republicans to vote against a $50.5 billion Hurricane Sandy relief bill last year, later accusing Christie of "bankrupting the government."
"They're precisely the same people who are unwilling to cut the spending," Paul said at the time. "And they're, 'Gimme, gimme, gimme –- give me all my Sandy money now.'"
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