Gov. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) resigned as chair of the Republican Governors Association just moments after admitting to an affair last week. But now, the New Jersey Democratic Party is trying to tie Republican gubernatorial hopeful Chris Christie to the affair by demanding that he "publicly denounce" the national organization and refuse advertising support.

"Christie has leaned on Sanford's support since the primary to curry favor with the RGA so they would run ads distorting Jon Corzine's record. Christie gladly accepted the support of the Mark Sanford led RGA and now he should call for the negative advertising created by Sanford to be pulled," Democratic chairman Joe Cryan said in a statement. "The hypocrisy of Christie's candidacy is exposed with every "advertising dollar he continues to accept in Mark Sanford's name."

The lengthy statement also tries to link Christie personally with Sanford's "far-right conservative agenda," specifically on abortion.

The RGA typically is active in supporting candidates with television advertising, though some state laws prohibit outside spending. Though the Garden State does have a generous matching funds program, Christie is likely counting on any additional support he can get to combat Gov. Jon Corzine's (D) personal fortune.