National Journal: “Republicans are fuming over New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s decision to hold an early special election to fill the seat of the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg, with several Washington-based operatives suggesting he’s looking out for his own interests over helping the GOP regain a Senate majority. The decision to hold a separate special election in October 2013 — just two weeks before his own election — would give any interested Republican candidates little time to announce, organize a campaign, and raise the necessary money to take on a top-tier Democrat, likely Newark Mayor Cory Booker.”

“The governor’s decision, along with growing GOP expectations that his
appointee will be a placeholder, means that what could have been an
outside chance at a GOP pickup now looks like a long-shot.”

Said one senior GOP official: “I think this ends his 2016 chances. It’s year after year with this guy.”

A new New England College poll in Massachusetts shows Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) with a double-digit lead over Gabriel Gomez (R) in this month’s special U.S. Senate election, 52% to 40%.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) said he would call for a special election to fill the seat of the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) on October 16, 2013.

He will make an interim appointment to fill the seat soon.

I joined Thomas Roberts, Judd Kegum and Kate Sheppard on MSNBC to discuss what Gov. Chris Christie will do regarding the appointment of someone to fill Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s seat in New Jersey after the senator’s passing earlier this week.

[Read more…]

A new Public Policy Polling survey in Michigan finds Mark Schauer (D) leading Gov. Rick Snyder (R) by four points, 42% to 38%.

Key finding: “Schauer’s initial lead has a lot more to do with Snyder than it does with himself. Even after his official candidacy announcement, he has just 38% statewide name recognition. But Snyder continues to be one of the most unpopular Governors in the country with only 40% of voters approving of him to 52% who disapprove.”

First Read: “What’s interesting about the likely quick special election is that it doesn’t preclude the 2014 race — that is, you’ll have a special Senate election this year and then another race for the seat in 2014. But this also means that Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who’s widely assumed to jump into this special election, would probably face a primary fight now from Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ).Why? Well, Pallone can run for the Senate seat in 2013 without risking his House seat. So it’s a free shot for the Democratic congressman.”

“Of course, the state party could decide against holding a party primary and choose the nominee at a convention of sorts. There will be national pressure on New Jersey Democrats to rally around Booker, whether Pallone likes that or not.”

Politico: “Scarred by years of Republican attacks over Obamacare, with more in store next year, Democrats have settled on an unlikely strategy for the 2014 midterms: Bring it on.”

“Party strategists believe that embracing the polarizing law — especially its more popular elements — is smarter politics than fleeing from it in the House elections. The new tack is a marked shift from 2010, when Republicans pointed to Obamacare as Exhibit A of Big Government run amok on their way to seizing the House from Democrats.”

Terry McAuliffe (D) has a nearly 2-to-1 edge in campaign cash on hand at the end of May over rival Ken Cuccinelli (R) in their head-to-head sprint to November’s bellwether gubernatorial election in swing state Virginia, the AP reports.

New Jersey State Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D) said the special election to fill Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s (D-NJ) seat should be held in November, at the same time voters cast ballots for governor, the Newark Star Ledger reports.

He “acknowledged there is some conflict between state laws governing how senate seats are filled before a term expires, but the governor must defer to giving voters the option at the earliest moment.”

Said Sweeney: “It needs to be happen in November. I know there is some conflicting information, but you cannot disenfranchise voters for 17 or 18 months.”

If Christie ignores his advice, Sweeney said, “We’ll take it to court.”

The Week: Christie faces a huge decision.