Christie Sets Special Election for Lautenberg's Old Senate Seat

General election to be held in October

Gov. Chris Christie today called for a primary election and a special election this year to fill U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg's seat , saying the issues facing the country are "too great" to leave the position vacant.

Christie said the Democratic and Republican primaries would be held on Aug. 13, and the general election on Oct. 16.

Lautenberg's death Monday at age 89 of complications from viral pneumonia set off a stream of speculation among politicians from New Jersey to Washington as who to Christie, a Republican, would choose to replace the Democratic senator and when he would schedule the election .