June 4th, 2013
01:50 PM ET
10 years ago
Christie opts for special election, says voters should decide
(CNN) - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie opted for a special election to fill a newly vacant Senate seat through 2014 instead of appointing a replacement through that time, saying the decision was about giving voters "a choice and a voice in the process" and was not driven by political self-interest.
While the Republican's decision for a special October ballot could help him avoid stronger Democratic turnout in his re-election bid a month later, it also opens him up to criticism from his own party that is on the short end of the balance of power in the Senate.
Let me see: The Senator was elected by the people of Christy's state and now the GOP(go figure) wants him to appoint a Republican despite what the people of the state wanted. DUH is there any doubt that the GOP plays politics and does not give a rats rear about the people (other than some GOP and tea drinkers of course). Christy is one of the few GOP members I have any respect for.
Let me see: The Senator was elected by the people of Christy's state and now the GOP(go figure) wants him to appoint a Republican despite what the people of the state wanted. DUH is there any doubt that the GOP plays politics and does not give a rats back end about the people (other than some GOP and tea drinkers of course). Christy is one of the few GOP members I have any respect for.
So many people hate on Christie (mostly because he's overweight), but he's a genuinely good person who is usually trying to do the right thing. I wish more politicians on both sides were like him. It'd be a much better country.
The man's almost smart enough to be a Democrat.
Way to go Governor. Can't believe that you belong to a party that has no respect for people's will and plays politics always. You truly are a role model and the GOP must embrace you with both hands to regain some respect among the general population.
As much as the media tries to make Christie palatable, he's still a fake "conservative" Republican. Really, spend tens of millions of taxpayer dollars to hold a special election 3 weeks early, just to avoid having a popular Democrat running at the same time as him for a different office during the general election.
I hope this "little" decision becomes the straw the breaks the camel's back for Christie's future political aspirations.
So let me get this straight. New Jersey TAXPAYERS are going to have to fund TWO elections within 1 month [October THEN November]? I thought consrvative Republicans were suppose to be the fiscally smart ones. Why is Christie wasting $25 Million on an election that is within a few weeks of an existing one?
This is the man who blamed teachers unions for all NJ`s financial challenges . . . but HE gets to throw away $25M? Hmmm.
TommytheT,
The special election is being held this year; the next normal election year is next year. So it's not a three week wait, it's a year and three weeks.
Good for Christie. It's a shame more politicians don't put the people first. Here's hoping NJ realizes after 40 years of Democrat representation coupled with things Christie has had to "fix" that maybe they could do better.