Meg Whitman concedes the election on Nov. 2, 2010. (Neon Tommy file)

Whitman spent a record figure of nearly $180 million in a race against Democrat Jerry Brown, but was derailed by news that she had hired an illegal immigrant to be a housekeeper and her moves to offshore jobs while head of eBay. Whitman is now the chief executive and chairwoman of Hewlett-Packard.

Whitman told the San Francisco Chronicle that while she was flattered with Romney's remarks, she has to stay at HP.

"When I was offered that job, I knew it would be a multi-year turnaround, so I'll be at HP," she said.

Whitman and Romney have a close relationship, which includes Whitman helping raise funds for Romney's campaign.

Whitman introduced Gov. Chris Christie at a breakfast event Monday at the Republican National Convention.

Christie went onto call Gov. Jerry Brown an "old retread" and said he couldn't believe "you people elected Jerry Brown over Meg Whitman. … Jerry Brown. Jerry Brown? I mean, he won the New Jersey presidential primary over Jimmy Carter when I was 14 years old.”

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