New Jersey Governor Chris Christie named his Attorney General, Jeffrey Chiesa, to serve in the US Senate until a special election is held in October to fill out the term of deceased Senator Frank Lautenberg. NJ.com: Chiesa said he won't seek election later this year. Christie's announcement at a hastily arranged news conference ended days of intense speculation over whom the Republican governor would appoint to serve nearly five months before voters elect a replacement for the 89-year-old Lautenberg, who died Monday. New Jersey voters haven't sent a Republican to the Senate in four decades. On Tuesday, Christie made the controversial decision to hold two special elections -- an Aug. 13 primary and an Oct. 16 election -- to fill the Senate seat at a cost of almost $25 million. Some Republicans have criticized the approach as a political move on Christie's part, aimed at keeping Newark Mayor Cory Booker -- who has expressed interest in the Senate seat -- off the...(Read Full Post)