Last week, Governor Chris Christie scheduled a special election for Oct. 16, three weeks before the general election to fill a U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg.

Governor's Office/Tim Larsen
Governor's Office/Tim Larsen
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Lawsuits have been filed to move the special election to November 5, the date of the general election. Christie brushes off the legal action and the idea that the timing of the special election is designed to guarantee the U.S. Senate campaign doesn't overshadow his own race.

Democrats claim holding the special election on October 5 will suppress the voters because they're not accustomed to voting on that date. The Governor dismisses that entirely.

"Turnout is up to the candidates," says Christie. "If candidates put out a vision that excites the electorate, the electorate will come out to support that candidate. If they don't, they won't and I don't care whether that election is in June, August, October or November."

Democrats wanted a U.S. Senate election quickly and that's exactly what he's given them says Christie. He insists, if Democrats produce great candidates, voter turnout will take care of itself.

"If you've got boring, visionless candidates people are going to go to the supermarket instead," explains the Governor. "If you have candidates which excite them (voters) and challenge them then they're going to come to the polls no matter what time of year it is."

A recent complaint filed by the chair of the Somerset County Democratic Committee argues that Christie's decision to hold the special race less than a month before the November election is actually designed to suppress votes. The Governor shows little concern for that lawsuit.

"If people want to sue they can sue," says Christie. "Let them go to court. That's what the courts are there for and we'll rise or fall on that basis, but I certainly have no second thoughts about what I did at all."

Christie has until 2 p.m. Tuesday to file a response to the lawsuit filed last week by Somerset County Democratic Chairwoman Peg Schaffer. It seeks to move the date of the special election.

 

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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