A special election to fill the seat for the remainder of Mr. Lautenberg’s term will be held in October, and Mr. Christie’s announcement came as Democrats and Republicans across the state scrambled to line up support, raise money and secure enough signatures ahead of the deadline on Monday to compete in the August primary. 

Mr. Chiesa, a Republican, does not plan to seek the seat himself, Mr. Christie said, opening up the field for others in the party. The governor revealed his decision at an afternoon news conference in Trenton. 

“It was unexpected for sure,” Mr. Chiesa said. He declined to detail his views on specific policy issues, including immigration, saying only that he wanted to be sure the nation’s borders were secure. 
He described himself as a “conservative Republican.” (THIS IS WHERE I'M SCARED)

SADLY, HE'S MY SISTER'S NEIGHBOR. 
ANOTHER REASON NOT TO VISIT (KIDDING SIS)...

Mr. Chiesa served as chief counsel to Mr. Christie from January 2010 through December 2011, when he was nominated to be attorney general. Before that, he headed Mr. Christie’s transition team after his election, and the two also worked together at the United States attorney’s office. 

“There are very few people in my life I know better than Jeff,” the governor said. “You won’t find anybody, I think, who will have something bad to say about Jeff.”  (PALSY/WALSY--GREAT!)

update: today i heard form a good source that the guy's OK with his views on the  same sex  issue--GOOD TO HEAR...still we need to vote...