Why Christie's latest trip away from Jersey puts the state's top Democrat in charge

ASPEN, Colo. -- Gov. Chris Christie on Monday is scheduled to attend a Republican Governors Association event for perhaps the last time while in office.

He may cross paths with Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who will be in town to gather support -- and money -- for her campaign for governor.

And with the governor and lieutenant governor both away, that means New Jersey's top Democrat, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, will be in charge for a day or two.

"I'm gonna have a big party at the beach house," Sweeney (D-Gloucester) quipped to NJ Advance Media on Sunday, taking a lighthearted swipe at Christie over the controversy the governor sparked when photos of him sitting on the beach with his family during a government shutdown made international headlines.

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