Chris Christie Self-Appointed Senator From New Jersey?

If a Democratic senator is convicted of corruption, the governor doesn’t rule out taking his place.

Governor Chris Christie refused to rule out the possibility that he could replace New Jersey’s U.S. senator Bob Menendez if the Democratic lawmaker is convicted on fraud and bribery charges in a trial that begins this week. “I don’t give Shermanesque statements on anything,” Christie told an interviewer for MSNBC’s Morning Joe program. “Listen, we’ll see what happens in this trial. We don’t know if there’s even going to be a vacancy and if there is, whether I’ll still be governor to replace it. What I’ll guarantee the people of New Jersey is . . . I’ll pick the person I think is best to represent New Jersey’s interests in the U.S. Senate.”

The reason Christie’s refusal to be pinned down is so important is that the Senate is now almost evenly divided, and with partisanship running high Republicans are finding it hard to secure enough of their 52 votes to pass major legislation, especially with the illness of Senator John McCain. Even one more Republican in the Senate could have a major impact on whether major tax reform passes or any possible Supreme Court nominee can be confirmed. If Senator Menendez is convicted and leaves office before January 16 of next year, Christie as outgoing governor has the right to appoint a successor for the remaining year of Menendez’s term. After that date, the governor replacing the term-limited Christie would make any appointment.

Read the rest from John Fund HERE and follow link below to a related story:

Republicans Campaigning To Force Menendez To Resign If Convicted

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