Politico: Christie's last big move could be filling Menendez's seat

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Christie might appoint himself.

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Christie's appointee might even have a harder time than Guadagno - the stench of Christie is a kiss of death.

Probably, the most worrying part is possibly giving Republicans an extra Senate vote until the 2018 midterms. In this instance, I think calling a special election would be even worse for for the Republican candidate than holding on until Nov 2018.

Virginia, when the special election would be held? 2017 or 2018?

Surely some time in 2018. You need time for the primary and the GE. Or, he could just let it happen at the same time as the midterms.

The governor can't schedule a special election, an election (regular or special), would be held during the 2018 midterm. Even if Christie appoints a Republican, a Democrat will win that seat in 2018 anyway. I don't see why Christie wouldn't want to temporarily give New Jersey Republicans more time in statewide office, especially when they won't hold statewide office much longer.

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The governor can't schedule a special election, an election (regular or special), would be held during the 2018 midterm

What do you mean? He did just that in 2013. Even the article explicitly states he can call a special election before the 2018 GE.

He did that in 2013 because he didn't want to share the ticket with Booker. At that time, he was very popular and was headed towards a landslide reelection victory. Now, with him being termed out, he'll just want Republicans to hold that seat as long as possible, and with nothing else for him to do, and with his approvals so low he probably does not even care anymore, I can see him just set the special date at the same time as the 2018 GE (saves money), the GOP holds the seat until then, and  he stays in the Senate for about a whole year.

He might not want to serve a full term. I can see him wanting to just be a placeholder, especially for the GOP to hold a Senate seat a Democrat will win anyway.

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Would Chris Christie want to serve in the Senate without serving a full term?

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Christie might appoint himself in order for New Jersey to have a Republican Senator for a year.

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Christie might appoint himself in order for New Jersey to have a Republican Senator for a year.

If Menendez goes, he's going after Murphy assumes office. Senate democrats wont vote to expel him and Menendez will sure appeal a guilty ruling. Lets also not forget that its not illegal for a felon to be a senator.

Democrats might vote to expel Menendez because they will likely hold on to this seat anyway.

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Democrats might vote to expel Menendez because they will likely hold on to this seat anyway.

The resistance to expulsion wouldn't be out of some worry of losing the seat for a whole term. It would be the fear of giving Republicans an extra Senate vote until Jan 2019. That extra vote would go quite a ways, given the current situation in the Senate. It's totally worth eating a couple months of GOP attacks to make sure Christie doesn't appoint a temporary replacement.

Senate Democrats will wait for Murphy to take office then expel Menendez.

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Democrats might vote to expel Menendez because they will likely hold on to this seat anyway.

The resistance to expulsion wouldn't be out of some worry of losing the seat for a whole term. It would be the fear of giving Republicans an extra Senate vote until Jan 2019. That extra vote would go quite a ways, given the current situation in the Senate. It's totally worth eating a couple months of GOP attacks to make sure Christie doesn't appoint a temporary replacement.

Senate Democrats will wait for Murphy to take office then expel Menendez.

Murphy likely makes the appointment after expulsion in 2018.

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Toricelli was never expelled. Menendez might be expelled.