re: #400 lawhawk

Here’s a breakdown of what NJ and Gov. Christie can do to fill Lautenberg’s seat.

Under state law, Christie can appoint a temporary replacement to send to Washington. He can also choose to hold a special election as soon as this year to fill the seat. If Christie does not choose to hold a special election, the law contains conflicting language about whether an election would occur this November or in November 2014.

The state Office of Legislative Services said in an opinion issued today and obtained by The Star-Ledger that an appointment, if made, would serve until a general election in November 2014. The winner of that election would serve the remaining two months of Lautenberg’s term and begin a full term on Jan. 1, 2015.

The office said the governor also has the option to hold a special primary and special general election sooner than that date, and whoever wins would serve the remainder of Lautenberg’s term until the general election in 2014.

In a separate opinion obtained by The Star-Ledger, the office said a special primary and special general election would cost about $12 million a piece. The money would go to pay poll workers and other poll costs.

An appointment sets up an interesting choice for Christie, who’s running for re-election in a majority Democratic state but has also been rumored as a 2016 presidential contender. Montclair State University political science professor Brigid Harrison speculated he might reach across party lines and choose Newark Mayor Cory Booker.

Going with Booker would do more to upset national GOPers than another Democrat like Codey since Booker’s got the kind of ambition that might put a presidential run in his future and the GOP doesn’t want to give him that opportunity if it has a choice (as Christie could do).