Christie to Decide on Lautenberg’s Seat This Week [AUDIO]

Gov. Chris Christie is expected to announce this week who he will appoint to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the death of Frank Lautenberg. The Governor says he expects whoever he selects to be on the job next week.

"I do have a list in my head and I'm going through that list and then I will make a decision and you all know me. I don't dawdle," said Christie. "I'll make a decision relatively quickly."

He said he will simply pick the best, most qualified person for the job.

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On Tuesday, Christie announced there will be a special election for the U.S. Senate seat on October 16, but he insists that will not factor in his appointment decision.

"If that person (his appointee) determines they want to run, great," said Christie. "If they determine they don't want to run, great too. It does not matter to me."

The list of those supposedly under consideration include Republicans like State Senators Tom Kean and Joe Kyrillos, Assembly GOP Leader Jon Bramnick, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadango and possibly even former Gov. Tom Kean, Sr.. Others have mentioned that Christie could pick Newark Mayor Cory Booker, a Democrat.

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"I'm not going to give you any indication as to who is on the list, what their gender is, what their political party is," said Christie. "I do have a preference for one party over the over so that might color my judgment a little."