Christie to hold special election to fill Lautenberg's Senate seat

• By BETH DeFALCO
• Last Updated: 2:27 PM, June 4, 2013
• Posted: 1:56 PM, June 4, 2013

AP

Gov. Christie talks to the press after casting his primary election vote today in Mendham.

Bucking the wishes of his own party, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said he would hold a special election in October to replace US Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who died yesterday.
"I'm not going to play politics. The right thing is to let the people decide," Christie said at a news conference in Trenton.
Christie had the option to appoint someone to serve through 2014, when Lautenberg's term ends or to call a special election.
The primary will be held in Aug. 13 and the general election will be held Oct. 16. Christie will appoint someone to fill the seat until August. He didn't say when he would make that announcement.

The Republican said it was "irresponsible" to wait any longer to find a permanent replacement.
"They are going to be debating immigration reform next week," Christie said.
Asked what qualities he was looking for in a Senator, Christie joked: "I'd like the person to be as much like me as possible. "
The move gives Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who has already announced that he planned to run, a serious advantage over any other Democrats in the liberal-leaning state.