With Frank Lautenberg's Death, Chris Christie's Senate Choice has Major Implications

Longtime U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., died on Monday morning at the age of 89. Lautenberg was the last member of the Senate who was a World War II veteran. Faced with a major primary challenge from Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Lautenberg had already announced that he would not run again in 2014.

With Lautenbergs death, Republican Gov. Chris Christie has something of a dilemma on his hands. Despite conservative grumbling about working too closely with the White House after Hurricane Sandy during the middle of the 2012 election, Christie is considered one of the leading candidates for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. He also faces New Jersey voters later this year but he is a strong favorite to win a second term.

But, as he prepares to appoint a replacement for Lautenberg, Christie will face great pressure. If he wants to run for president in 2016, Christie might choose a conservative to sit in the Senate. But New Jersey voters might prefer a moderate -- and Christie has to face them later this year.

With a strong Democratic primary field already shaping up and no Republican in the race, Christie might have to accept that whoever he names will be a placeholder. Booker is already off and running. So is New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney. Two Democrats in Congress -- Rush Holt and Frank Pallone -- are also looking at jumping in.

Chris Christie is one of the more dynamic figures in American politics and has a knack for getting attention. His decision on who will serve in the Senate will have implications for his political career on the state and national levels.

UPDATE: Buzzfeed is reporting that Christie could schedule a special election later this year. However, he still has the option of appointing someone to fill the seat.