The New Jersey host committee for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has been chosen and includes the governor’s brother and other close confidants, NJBIZ has learned.

The New Jersey host committee for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has been chosen and includes the governor’s brother and other close confidants, NJBIZ has learned.

Among the committee members are:

– Todd Christie, director of trading at Sica Wealth Management.

– Mike Ferguson, the former congressman who is now chairman and CEO of Ferguson Strategies LLC, a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firm, and chairman of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.

– Jon F. Hanson, founder and chairman of The Hampshire Cos. and head of a sports and gaming commission created by Gov. Chris Christie.

– William J. Palatucci, a close friend of the governor and senior vice president and general counsel for public affairs at West Caldwell-based Community Education Centers.

– Peter D. Sudler, president and CEO of Chatham-based Sudler Cos.

– David Tepper, founder of Appaloosa Management, a hedge fund management firm in the Short Hills section of Millburn, and a co-founder of Better Education for Kids, a political action group pushing an education reform agenda.

The committee’s role is to raise money for Romney’s campaign. Members of the committee have been involved in Chris Christie’s past campaigns.