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.
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Your numbers only equal 90%
sly
That is the right choice – let the voters decide, not the Governor.
Even though Christie is a moderate Republican, he is still a Republican, meaning he represents around 18% of the people. With a Special Election, the other 72% of New Jersey folks get to vote in a better Senator than any Republican would appoint.
Why not hold it with the scheduled November election less than one month later?
Way to be "Fiscally conservative". What a joke. The general election is just a few weeks later. But oh no, dont want to have to drag my #'s down in the General so I can look good for 2016.
Sad, fatty, just sad.
When i doubt do the right thing for the people. Hear Hear. Bravo to Christie a model for politicians and pundits. And a real model for Congress on what Governance is about, not merely your local political agenda.
@sniffitt. Again you make a valid point, and again you negate it by resorting to childish name calling. You are becoming the uber-right's best friend, kind of like what Sarah Palin was for the left.....
A decision of weakness taken by an acquiescing weakling
You may president of new jersey but that is as far as you get.
It was the fairest choice, for sure. But I can't help thinking: Poor Christie...conservative wing-nuts will surely make him pay for yet another show of reasonability. First, being nice to Obama for providing quick disaster relief after Sandy, and now this? His 2016 primary chances are dimming by the minute. As the saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished.
sly
That is the right choice – let the voters decide, not the Governor.
Even though Christie is a moderate Republican, he is still a Republican, meaning he represents around 18% of the people. With a Special Election, the other 72% of New Jersey folks get to vote in a better Senator than any Republican would appoint.
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Hey Sly...18% + 72% is only 90%. Not that I expect a liberal to be good at math...why bother when you can just have the government do everything for you.
Right move, to fill the seat with an elected representative as soon as possible, despite the harping of some who will fixate only on the cost.
Credit to the governor for finding a way to:
a) please the Dems by letting NJ choose their own Senator as quickly as possible
b) please the Tea Party mad dogs (presumably) by throwing them a bone in the form of an interim appointee
c) do BOTH of the above at the same time while not muddying either his Nov 2013 re-election day spotlight OR risking any real capital prior to 2016 by ticking off either side
Smart man. Let the people vote.
A Democrat Governor would have appointed the most far left person and put the election off until 2014 because that would have better for the Democrat Party. Christie proves he's no Democrat.
If the situation was reversed, there's NO WAY a Democrat governor would have ordered a special election. Christie does the stand up thing, and the Libs impugn his motive. No good deed goes unpunished by hypocrite Libs.
I am really trying to not like Christie. He's not making it any easier by putting principle above politics.
This Republican is a class act. I applaud you Gov Christie.
We are a Republic, not a Democracy. The people of NJ elected a Republican, Conservative Governor some time ago. That position comes with benefits such as influencing voting districts, controlling budgets and yes, appointing Senators in special cases. The voting public knows this. Gov. Christie just showed his cards, he once again failed to use his elected power to turn America around. If the tables were turned a Governor from the current imperial liberal ruling class of politicians would not think twice of using the same benefits to appoint one of their own and "move on". Lets get real people. This was the good Gov. placing himself and his political hopes before all others in this nation. We've seen enough of this lately.
Good move Christie. I gotta give it to you.
Hats off to Christie, the ethically correct choice in a world on unethical politicians. Maybe there is hope?
As a democrat, I would happily vote for a moderate Republican like Christie. He is no nonsense and does what is best for the people. And anyone who is willing to work across party lines like he did during the hurricane is someone we need.
Smart move by Christie.
Getting a kick out of the 'freedom and liberty' teabaggers who want an elected official replaced permanently by an appointment though. Seriously teabaggers, you're showing your true ideas on elected government by objecting to an election.
On the one hand, this move will endear Christie to an even broader cross section of the general electorate for a Presidential run.
On the OTHER hand, this will make it almost impossible for him to get the Republican nomination from TEA Party "Patriots."
Good for him. I don't like his positions on a lot of things but he seems willing to put doing his job above currying favor with the lunatic fringe that's taken over his party.
"We must allow our citizens to have their say" and the ".... I don't know what the costs are....I don't care" make him sound like a champion of the people. Sure, Governor, say what the people want you to say – it pays for your votes much better than authentic leadership. You're as slippery as the president, and try to say all the right things. But hey, what do you do? Not impressed.
Way to go. A republican I can actually respect.
If he has $25 million to spend on an election 1 month prior to a regularly scheduled election, I guess he doesn't need any more help with Hurricane Sandy. Or maybe that's where he's getting the $25 million. You folks in NJ need to watch him - he's sneaky.