RIP, Sen. Frank Lautenberg

[Ocala Mike]

Liberal stalwart and friend of Amtrak passes:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/03/frank-lautenberg-dead-dies_n_3377916.html

Interesting to see who Christie appoints in his place.

 

[Ryan]

It'll be very interesting to see who gets appointed...

In addition to a friend of Amtrak, he was the oldest member of the Senate and the last WWII vet to serve as a Senator.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I just read this then looked up and they were talking about his passing on The View.

 

[CHamilton]

Sen. Frank Lautenberg, Rail Champion, Dies at 89

Lautenberg was a passionate champion of Amtrak and rail travel in general. Just a few months ago, he pledged that “improving passenger and high-speed rail service in America and on the Northeast Corridor is a top priority” for him.

...
Lautenberg wrote the 2008 law to increase Amtrak funding and create the nation’s high-speed rail grant program. In 2011, he got the Northeast Corridor designated as a federally-recognized high-speed rail corridor, which allowed Amtrak to receive $450 million in federal funding for high-speed rail upgrades benefitting New Jersey. The Secaucus Junction train station is named after him (though it only served New Jersey Transit, not Amtrak.)

He fought New Jersey Governor Chris Christie over the ARC tunnel, a rail improvement Lautenberg saw as essential for allowing the continued flow of commuters between New Jersey and New York under the Hudson River.

More on his rail advocacy at http://dc.streetsblog.org/2013/06/03/sen-frank-lautenberg-rail-champion-dies-at-89/

 

[VentureForth]

Geraldo wants to take his place. Not that he was asked, but he said if he WAS asked, he'd take it.

 

[pennyk]

 

[PA Traveler]

RIP, Senator.

 

[jersey42]

Amongst other articles, there was a small little blurb in this morning's Newark Star Ledger:

Long an advocate for the region's train system, Sen. Frank Lautenberg will ride the rails one last time on the way to his final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery. . . . .
A source said Lautenberg's body would then be taken to, New Jersey, where he will be ceremonially placed on an Amtrak train bound for Washington, DC.

 

[jis]

Good question to ask now is who is going to be appointed to fill the remainder of Lautenberg's term.

Theoretically at least it is even possible for Christie to appoint himself.

The name of both father and son Keane have been mentioned also.

 

[Shanghai]

The latest I have heard for a potential replacement is Christy Whitman, former Governor of New Jersey.

She is a popular person in the state and was the EPA Administrator in the George W. Bush administration.

Tom Kean, Jr. has also been mentioned. He is currently a State Senator. He is the son of former Governor Tom Kean.

Lautenberg is being referred to as Mr. Amtrak in our local radio broadcasts.

 

[afigg]

Good question to ask now is who is going to be appointed to fill the remainder of Lautenberg's term.
Theoretically at least it is even possible for Christie to appoint himself.

The name of both father and son Keane have been mentioned also.

The question for Gov. Christie is not only who he would appoint for the seat - Republican, Democrat (unlikely), a place holder, a Republican who would compete in an election, but also whether he would hold a special election and when. Because of conflicting statues, the Governor appears to have the authority to hold a special election in October. or in November when the state elections are held, or appoint someone to hold the seat until the November 2014 election. Many of the Republicans at the state level don't want a special election the same day as the state election, because the special election for the Senate would increase turnout among the Democrats and hurt the Republican chances of picking up a lot of seats in the state legislature.

Politico has an explanation of the complex political considerations Christie faces. Odds are that he will appoint a Republican who won't upset the Republican base for his 2016 plans, but not an idealogical conservative. Which will give NJ it's first Republican Senator in over 40 years. Worth noting that, until Lautenberg passed way, the 8 states of the NEC had 15 Democratic and 1 Republican Senator (Toomey - PA) . Mostly Blue states indeed.

 

[Bob Dylan]

The latest I have heard for a potential replacement is Christy Whitman, former Governor of New Jersey.She is a popular person in the state and was the EPA Administrator in the George W. Bush administration.

Tom Kean, Jr. has also been mentioned. He is currently a State Senator. He is the son of former Governor Tom Kean.

Lautenberg is being referred to as Mr. Amtrak in our local radio broadcasts.

Pretty good Choices! Gov. Chrisitie seems to have Common Sense and he he doesn't Cater to the Caveman Right like lots of Governors! Maybe there's hope for Jersey yet! :giggle:

 

[Bob Dylan]

Geraldo wants to take his place. Not that he was asked, but he said if he WAS asked, he'd take it.

Say it ain't so Joe!

 

[Ryan]

Because of conflicting statues, the Governor appears to have the authority to hold a special election in October. or in November when the state elections are held, or appoint someone to hold the seat until the November 2014 election

He's gone for the special election in October. I think that it's the best choice, as it puts it in the hands of the voters the soonest. There will be a temporary appointment for the summer:

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/06/04/new-jerseys-christie-opts-for-special-election-to-replace-lautenberg

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Tuesday he wants the people of his state to determine who should replace Sen. Frank Lautenberg, a Democrat who died Monday, and is scheduling primaries in August and a special election in October.
Christie, a Republican up for re-election this year and a potential 2016 presidential candidate, had wide latitude in determining how to fill the seat. He will select someone to occupy Lautenberg's spot ahead of the Oct. 16 election, but declined to have his selection hold the seat until the regularly scheduled 2014 election as he could have.

"I believe the people have the right to make that decision; the right thing is to let the people decide," Christie said during a news conference.