The passing of Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., has not only an outpouring of admiration for the longtime Senator but has also created quite the political quandary for both Senate Democrats and for Republican governor Chris Christie. The Democrats will be losing one of the most reliably liberal members of the Senate and Christie has to consider long term political consequences when he appoints a successor, according to The New York Times.
Before Christie appoints a successor to Lautenberg lawmakers in New Jersey are going to have to figure out how exactly to hold a special election. In New Jersey state law there are two conflicting statutes that address how to replace a senatorial vacancy. One provision states that if the vacancy occurs more than 70 days before the next general election a special election to determine who will finish out the term of the deceased will be held at that election, according to NBC News. If this provision is followed the election will be held on November 5, 2013.
The contradicting provision states that the vacancy would have to occur 70 days before the primary in order to be held during the next general election. In the case of New Jersey the primary is being held on June 4, 2013. If this provision is adhered to the special election won't be held until November of 2014, which is when Lautenberg's term was scheduled to end, reports NBC News.
The New Jersey Star-Ledger reports that the opinion of the Office of Legislative Services is that any appointee would end up serving until November 2014.
Once an appropriate date for a special election is determined Christie will have to figure out who to appoint to the Senate. As a Republican with aspirations for the White House in 2016 in a state that hasn't elected a Republican Senator since 1972 it is an especially tough decision for Christie, according to Newsday.
If Christie appoints a Democrat he may be seen as disloyal by Republicans across the country. If Christie appoints a Republican he may anger New Jersey voters who elected a Democrat and lose many of the moderate and independent voters he counts on for the upcoming gubernatorial election.
While it is most likely that Christie will appoint a Republican to the position a GOP consultant told NBC News that there is a possibility that Christie will name Newark mayor Corey Booker to the position. Booker was intending to run for Senator in 2014 already.
"It would be surprising, but it wouldn't be a jaw-dropper," the source told NBC News.
Senate leader Harry Reid is in a position where losing even one Democratic vote can strongly hinder the ability of President Barack Obama to pass through any legislation in his second term. The importance of Sen. Lautenberg was seen when he made an appearance to vote on a gun control bill despite being sick enough that he was in a wheelchair, according to The New York Times.
Former Democratic advisor Jim Manley told The New York Times that finding a way to replace Lautenberg's vote will be difficult for Reid.
"The last thing Senator Reid can afford right now is to lose a reliable Democratic vote in a highly partisan Senate," Manley said.
It is not yet known when Christie plans on announcing an appointee and as of now no candidate has openly announced their wish to be considered for the seat.
