TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie will address the Northeast Republican Leadership Conference in Philadelphia this summer.

Rob Gleason, chairman of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania confirmed Tuesday that Christie will make an address sometime during the conference, which will be held June 18-20. Gleason praised his Republican neighbor as "a proven reformer who's not afraid to tackle the toughest issues."

Indeed, Christie made headlines in New Hampshire on Tuesday by touching the "third rail" of politics, entitlement reforms. He called for raising the Social Security full-retirement age to 69, and the early retirement age to 64.

Other potential 2016 GOP presidential candidates slated to speak at the Northeat GOP forum include former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina.

Christie made six trips to the Keystone State last year during his chairmanship of the Republican Governors Association to fund-raise for the organization, and twice traveled to the state to stump for Gov. Tom Corbett, but couldn't save his fellow Republican from being ousted on Election Day last year.

Gov. Christie Speaks at NH Institute of Politics on Entitlement Reform 10 Gallery: Gov. Christie Speaks at NH Institute of Politics on Entitlement Reform

Claude Brodesser-Akner may be reached at cbrodesser@njadvancemedia.com

