LEWISTON – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is returning to Maine for a third time this election season to help raise money for Gov. Paul LePage.

Christie, chairman of the Republican Governors Association, has already made two stops to the state to aid LePage’s re-election effort. LePage’s campaign says Christie will join the governor at a private lunchtime fundraiser on Tuesday in Lewiston.

Democrats have used Christie’s visits to Maine to accuse the two tough-talking Republican governors of being bullies. LePage and Christie have dismissed the criticism, pledging not to change their outspoken ways.

The RGA has already spent $2 million in Maine and is running several ads in the state attacking Democrat Mike Michaud and praising the governor for his efforts to overhaul welfare and trim taxes.