Lautenberg’s Seat to be Filled by Special Election

New Jersey voters will have a chance to vote for a successor to Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) — who passed away today — “on Election Day this November, though Gov. Chris Christie could schedule a special election earlier if it is deemed ‘advisable,’ according to New Jersey law,” BuzzFeed reports.

“That will kick New Jersey’s Senate race into high gear in the coming days, particularly on the Democratic side where Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Rep. Frank Pallone, who has not announced his campaign, have for months been prepping for a potentially bruising primary battle.”

Christie is likely to make an interim appointment and, as the Washington Post notes, “could, as is often the case in situations like these, choose to nominate a close ally from his own party.